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N13bn Ikoyi Haul Belongs To Rivers, Wike Insists
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has insisted that the state government will get back the N13billion recovered in an apartment in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos State, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Wike said this, last Saturday while speaking on Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily.
The governor said he has hard evidence on the loot, but would not give it out yet, so that the Federal Government would not know the state government’s moves.
He said, “the ultimatum I gave on the recovered money hasn’t elapsed. Yes, I did that, but you have lawyers working with you. They tell you; wait, we don’t want to go by the way you have said. Although I am a lawyer too, I am sitting as a governor. I am directly affected and emotionally involved.
“The so-called government has set up a committee. Let’s wait and see what the committee would say. Let’s see whether they will or will not invite the state government.
“We cannot make submissions to the committee because we don’t know where they meet; we don’t know where they sit. Everybody knows the money belongs to Rivers State. Who are all the people making contentions about the money? They are the same government. Don’t mind that the NIA’s DG was not appointed by the present government. He was in government,” he added.
Wike noted that the state government would come open with its evidence on the money at the appropriate time.
He said, “despite claims by the NIA DG, the CBN came out to say, ‘how did you get this money? We didn’t give you any money.’ Who would release such volume of dollars to a government agency and security agency? Where would it come out from? They have denied the money.
“When you are fighting powerful forces, you don’t let out your strategies. All I know is that this money belongs to Rivers, and no amount of intimidation or going to court can scare us.
“If I tell you how that money came to be ours, am I not revealing secrets to them? Everybody saw what happened, how the money (for power assets in Rivers) was paid, and given to the bureau de change. When we get to the point of the full details, everything will be open. Don’t tell us to come out with our evidence. We will come out when it is the appropriate time,” Wike said.
On developments in the Niger Delta, Wike stated that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was working at cross purposes with the region.
He said that the NDDC politicises the process of its execution of projects which are usually abandoned, and added that the agency deliberately refuses to liaise with the states before projects are initiated.
On the PDP crisis, Wike stated that he was supporting Senator Ahmed Makarfi and that he would wait for the Supreme Court to state its position, and declared that it was very much unlikely that he would work with Ali Modu Sheriff.
He said: “It is very much unlikely that I will work with Ali Modu Sheriff. It is not possible for me to stay with Sheriff.”
The governor explained that Sheriff has no love for the PDP as he has continued to work against the party, in liaison with the APC.
The governor alleged that in Benue and Jigawa states, Sheriff has been working with APC governments to frustrate the PDP in upcoming local government elections.
On developments in Rivers State, the governor noted that his administration has entrenched state-wide execution of projects
He said projects have been initiated and executed in 22 out of the 23 local government areas of the state, adding that only Omuma Local Government Area, was yet to have a project, but now has a major road contract awarded in the area.
Wike said that his administration was developing Rivers State as a tourism destination of the country, adding that the construction of the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park was a deliberate action to promote tourism.
The governor regretted that Rivers State and other Niger Delta states were losing revenue because oil companies pay their taxes in Lagos, while they operate in the region.
On Rivers at 50, he said that the state has made tremendous progress, adding that the celebrations were designed to appreciate God for being together despite the challenges.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.
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