The Integrity Group has described as untrue, allegations by its Executive Director, Livingstone Wechie, on a national television, last Monday, that it had disowned documents tendered before the Senate that linked the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, with mismanagement of resources of Rivers State while he was governor of the state.
A statement signed by Secretary of Integrity Group, Uyi Meshak, in Port Harcourt, and made available to The Tide, clarified that there was no time the body took such decision, stressing that the action of Wechie, was not only embarrassing but an act of betrayal.
“Mr Wechie was wrong that we agreed to disown a document that we collectively signed and tendered to the Senate, the EFCC and other agencies on the mismanagement of Rivers State funds and assets by the former administration,” the statement noted.
“After we tendered that document to the Senate and the legal fireworks that followed it, which is now before the Supreme Court, we have never sat to either withdraw the said petition, disown it, nor discussed it further, since it would be subjudice.
“The Integrity Group is incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and therefore, a legal entity. It is not only embarrassing to all other trustees but a complete betrayal by Wechie to distance himself from a document that we not only authorised but also thoroughly investigated before we signed. It is also a complete deviation from the noble cause to cleanse the society,” the group added.
The group wondered how Wechie suddenly realised that the documents it tendered to the Senate and the anti-graft agency were allegedly forged.
Similarly, the Coalition of Concerned NGOs, CBOs and CSOs, has disassociated itself from the frivolous comments made by Livingstone Wechie.
A statement signed by President of the coalition, Comrade Christian Obi, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, said, “We want to state categorically that he has not only destroyed his career but has also destroyed his purported fight against corruption.
“Wechie obviously lacks the moral standing and credibility to speak on or involve himself in any public conversation or debate aimed at eliminating corruption in the society. He has abused the word ‘Integrity’,” the coalition stressed.
Obi described Wechie as “a sunken ship who acts against the values, beliefs, and principles that define integrity”, and advised Rivers people, and indeed, all Nigerians to ignore Wechie’s ranting, and support the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration’s efforts to reposition the state under the NEW Vision Agenda.
“We urge all NGOs, CBOs, and CSOs to always stand by the truth and profess peace and equity at all times”, Obi added.
Meanwhile, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), has withdrawn membership of Wechie from the association, who until recently had signed statements of the organisation as Deputy Director, Relations Organisation, South-South.
Chairman of the rights body in Rivers State, Sotonye George, said that the decision of CLO was based on Wechie’s action in recent times, which according to him, was against the tradition of the organisation.
“Based on the recommendations of the disciplinary committee, you are hereby informed that your membership in this organisation has been nullified,” George wrote in the letter addressed to Wechie, and made available to The Tide, in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.