Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general election in Rivers State, Dakuku Peterside, has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of recklessly spending tax payers’ money to acquire properties all over Port Harcourt.
Dakuku, in a statement yesterday, alleged that Wike has violated all known due process by awarding contracts from his pocket.
He also accused the governor of neglecting the education sector—which is the way to secure the future.
Peterside spoke against the backdrop of a report that students who sat for the internal National Examination Council (NECO) senior secondary school examination in public schools in Rivers State could not access their results as the state government was owing the examination body.
He lambasted the governor for not releasing money owed NECO, alleging that he instead is always quick to use state funds to feather his personal interests all over the country.
“Why would the governor want to jeopardise the future of our children? Their mates in other states are busy gaining admission into tertiary institutions, but ours cannot do so because of an incompetent governor.
“Rivers people should call the governor to order and make him realize that he holds the position on behalf of all of us, and not an extension of his father’s estate,” he stated.
He specifically noted that many schools have been shut down across the state as there were no personnel to teach children.
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“As at today, Rivers State is lacking teachers in practically all primary and secondary schools. In some cases, many primary schools have been shut down owing to lack of teachers and even classrooms.”
“For example, in Etche local government area, more than 30 primary schools do not have teachers, while some have just one or two teachers.
“In Obio/Akpor, where the governor comes from, several secondary schools are lacking teachers in core subjects like English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, among others.
“Even more shocking is the fact that while teachers are available in some cases, there are no classroom blocks and teaching aids to help impact knowledge.”
He added that at the appropriate time Wike will be called to account for his mismanagement of state funds.
“And here is a governor that has recklessly spent money acquiring personal properties all over Port Harcourt and beyond. He has been busy violating all known due process laws by awarding contracts from his pocket.”
“At the appropriate time, we shall call him to account for his mismanagement of state funds. He should not think that Rivers people are suffering from collective amnesia. That time is coming soon,” he stressed.
Reacting to the allegations, Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku, said the Governor Nyesom Wike led administration has spent, in 2021 alone, over N1bn to sponsor students for external exams such as NECO, WAEC and others.
“It is important to state emphatically that the Rivers State Government places great premium on education, and goes to great lengths to ensure [that] all is well in the sector. Even Federal government examination agencies such NECO and JAMB are provided free office accommodation and operational vehicles.”
src: citynewsph