Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the freezing
of the accounts of Governments of Benue and Akwa Ibom States by the APC
Federal Government through the EFCC is the worst coup since the return to
democracy.
He stated that there is no worse form of impunity than attempting to
cripple a tier of government simply because the APC Federal Government
plans to attain unconstitutional political mileage.
Speaking on national issues at the Government House Port Harcourt on
Thursday, Governor Wike said that the ultimate target of the APC Federal
Government is Rivers State, where they have already detailed the EFCC to
carry out very unconstitutional activities.
He said: “There is no worse impunity than for the EFCC to shutdown a tier
of government through the freezing of the accounts of two State
Governments.
“An agency of federal government has frozen the accounts of Akwa Ibom and
Benue State Governments . This is the worst coup against the constitution
and the law-abiding people of those states.
“But the target is not Benue or Akwa Ibom States. The real target is
Rivers State. The EFCC as a federal agency has no business with State
Funds. That is the responsibility of the State House of Assembly “.
He said that Rivers State Government under Former Rivers State Governor,
Dr Peter Odili obtained got a court judgment that the EFCC has no
constitutional power to investigate state funds, pointing out that the
EFCC is yet to vacate that order at a superior court.
Governor Wike noted that the APC Federal Government has continued to use
the EFCC for illegal actions in Rivers State, despite the Attorney General
of Rivers State writing to the EFCC and attaching the said judgement
against the Federal Agency.
Governor Wike said that he is not moved by the sack of Former Director
General of DSS, noting that it was a function of internal politics.
“If you are sacking Lawan Daura for coup at the National Assembly, what
will you do with a man who overthrew two state governments through two
separate coups?” he asked.
Governor Wike added that the APC Federal Government has enthroned a
culture of impunity using all security agencies to destroy democracy.
He said: “The sack of the DG of DSS is mere internal politics. If not,
even the Inspector General of Police has done worse. The Inspector General
of Police invaded the Benue State House of Assembly. He also invaded the
Rivers State High Court Complex. No action has been taken against the
Inspector General of Police “.