17 Oil Wells: Monarch Hails Wike Over Supreme Court Victory

Following the ceding of the 17 oil wells to Rivers State through the Supreme Court ruling, the Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Eze Chika Worlu Wodo, has hailed Governor Nyesom Wike for recording another landslide victory for the state.
Wodo made the commendation during an interview with The Tide at his palace in Port Harcourt, recently.
The monarch described the Supreme Court victory on the 17 oil wells as a landmark achievement by the Wike-led administration.
Describing the governor as a dogged fighter and great achiever, the traditional ruler noted that the ceding of the 17 oil wells to the state would now increase the oil revenue accruing to the state through the revenue allocation.
“The victory at the Supreme Court on the 17 oil wells to Rivers State will beef up the state’s revenues through the oil percentage accruing to the state and not for Wike’s private pockets, but for the entire state’s economy.
“Let us be proud and appreciate this landmark victory recorded by the state through the efforts of Governor Wike to the people of Rivers State”, he said.
Wodo expressed optimism that the two communities of Akri and Mgbede in Ndoni and Egbema, would be transformed as revenues from the oil wells would be used to develop the areas socially and economically.
He commended the Judiciary for living up to its responsibility as the last hope of common man.
The Ikwerre monarch described Wike as a leader who takes governance in the state seriously, and called on Rivers people to support his administration towards making the state and the country a better place.
He advised politicians in the state to desist from politics of bitterness and acrimony, and join hands with the governor to make the state great.
The 17 oil wells had been in dispute between Rivers and Imo states since 2019 when a Presidential directive triggered a certain boundary adjustment arrangement that transferred all revenues accruing within the Rivers State to Imo State.
The recent Supreme Court judgement has, however, brought to an end the prolonged oil and boundary dispute between the two states.

By: Chinedu Wosu