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General News of Friday, 17 April 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

[VIDEO] Lockdown: Is this lockdown only for the poor? - Wike questions Buhari

Nyesom Wike - Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike - Rivers State Governor

Rivers State Governor - Nyesom Wike has asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) if the coronavirus lockdown was only meant for the poor people.

The President on Monday night extended the initial two-weeks lockdown by 14 days to curb the spread of the pandemic which is proving difficult as the country is moving close to 500 infections.

Wike who alleged that lockdown has not been binding on expatriates and oil companies has however stated that he would not allow them access to Rivers State.

Although he maintained that he is "not against the federal government", he said that he will do anything to protect his people, even if it means going against Buhari's order, except there is a dialogue.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Wike stressed that the state does not have N10bn to make isolation centres to treat Rivers people, hence they would fight against any plan to infect the state.

“Is this lockdown only for the poor? It’s unfortunate for someone to go against the lockdown rules of the government at this time.

“Akara sellers in Lagos trying to make daily income are chased out of the street and carried to court, but they said we should leave oil companies and allow them to operate and fly.

“As long as they do not enter my territory, I have no problem because we will fight, if we don’t fight, we cannot survive.

“I don’t take orders from Abuja but Rivers people. If they want to work with me they should come, I will not go and beg them. If they want war, we will fight, but I will make sure my people are protected from coronavirus.

“My people wouldn’t die. I’m not against the federal government, what are we fighting for, but I will do what is right if you want me to work with you, talk with me and don’t give me a directive.

“Nobody can use Rivers state as a toy, If you don’t like me, that will encourage me to like myself. Even my father has never given directive but calls me and has a dialogue for a way out, but you that is not my father will issue directive so you can kill Rivers people.

“I won you in 2015, I won you in 2019, have I not won, not one project in Rivers but you stay in Abuja and give me directives I will not agree. We are in a federal system, but governors have been reduced as beggars.

“We are not in a military government where you will sit down in your office and direct me. I’m not one of those governors that will come to Abuja to ask for help, so don’t issue me a directive when you were elected like me.

“As a governor, the right thing must be done so people must not die.

“Is there any oil company operating in America, it’s only here in Nigeria. I’m a boy to Rivers people, not anybody outside this state.

“The other time it was Caverton, now it’s ExxonMobil. The lockdown is not for the poor alone; it includes everybody.

“They are lucky Caverton apologized, the MD sent me an apology text that evening from America for us to release their pilots and comply with the rules.”