Wike meets Buhari over security in Rivers

Nyesom Wike

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he kicked against the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) approval of a whooping $1billion to aid the federal government fight against insecurity in the country.

Speaking to State House Correspondents after the closed-door meeting, Wike said his mission was to update the President on the security situation in Rivers.‎

The governor, who described his relationship with the President as cordial, said their discussion also dwelt on other development issues in the state.

“I’m happy with the discussion and I believe that something has to be done about security. 

"Nothing political; just security issue that affects the state and things that may lead to the breakdown of law and order. We talked on security challenges and he received me very well.

“We don’t have any bad relationship, I come here when he asks me to come,” he said.

The governor described the $1billion okayed by the NGF to fight insurgency in the country, described the approval as illegal.

He, however, stated that he was in support of any effort embarked upon by the federal government to address the menace of insurgency in the Northeast and environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region.

"Even though, for me, it is illegal, however, we are told we are fighting insurgency and no right thinking person in the country will say that he/she would not support the government in fighting against insurgency.

“But on the other hand too, I believe that when you are talking about environmental issues in the Niger Delta, particularly the Ogoniland, we can also take money from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to solve the problem there. That is my position,” he said.