FG must not withdraw money from Excess Crude Account - Governor Wike

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says Nigeria Governors Forum endorsement of fresh withdrawal of fund by the Federal Government from the Excess Crude Account will be contested.

The governor wondered what happened to the $1 billion withdrawn from Excess Crude Account in 2017 on the stance that it will be used to fund the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

Governor Wike stated this when he played host to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who was on a courtesy visit to him at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.

The Rivers State Governor said he will not support the plan for a fresh withdrawal except Rivers State is given its 13 per cent share from the account.

"Yesterday, I was told that the governors agreed that they will take money from Excess Crude to support the military. What of the one they took before, the $1billion that they gave to the military?

"Now again! This one, I'll tell my Attorney General; you will have to prepare, we will go to court. I will not support that one except they'll give us our 13 per cent first from that Excess Crude Account."

Governor Wike told the Emir of Kano how his late father and other leaders in their time worked so hard in promoting love, peace and national unity among Nigerians.

He expressed the regret that current political and religious leaders are not building on those successes.

He said they are rather reducing every relationship, appointment, policy and programme of the government to political and religious considerations.

Governor Wike insisted that Nigeria belong to everybody and no one section can assert itself over others. He said that is why he had provided a conducive environment for all ethnic groups in Rivers State to coexist.