Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has revealed that he officially
wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari asking that the two armoured
helicopters bought by the immediate past administration in the state .be
handed over to the Nigerian Air Force.
He explained that he wrote the letter following the high custom duty
charged for the helicopters and the refusal of the present administration
to grant the Rivers State Government the waiver to clear the two armoured
helicopters.
A statement issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers
State Governor on Electronic Media informed that the governor spoke during
an interview with editors of Sun Newspapers Titles on Saturday in Port
Harcourt.
The governor said that it was unfortunate that Security Agencies would
resort to political propaganda and outright lies, when the facts of the
two armoured helicopters are public knowledge.
He said: “These helicopters were imported by the immediate past
administration. When I assumed office, we wrote to the Federal government
that it was strictly for security use. What am I going to use armoured
helicopters for?
“In any case, where will the Rivers State Government get money at this
time to import armoured helicopters. The previous administration
imported it because they had the money.
“I went to to the Federal Government to give me a waiver for us to clear
the helicopters, but the Federal Government refused.
“I wrote a letter to the President and to assure him that the helicopters
are meant for security purposes, it should be handed over to the Nigerian
Air Force “.
The governor added: “I am surprised that they have started propaganda
and political falsehood on the said armoured helicopters. What kind of
country are they turning Nigeria into ?
“We stated that we cannot pay the custom duties because the helicopters
are not for commercial use. They are to be used to monitor the creeks
and track criminals.
“I wrote to the President to give the helicopters to the Airforce. It is
shocking that the custom would turn around to claim that they impounded
the helicopters. The Chief of Staff to the President admitted that I have
done well when I wrote the letter to the President “.
It will be recalled that the immediate past Governor of Rivers State,
Rotimi Amaechi in December 2012 announced the payment of two helicopters
for security surveillance.
Buhari’s Health: Nigerians fault latest Buhari’s images, say Gov. Amosun
currently in Ogun
The rumoured death of President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to spark up
controversies among a section of Nigerians on the social media.
This is coming after the new picture, which was posted on Friday night,
showed the president in a relaxed mood with some of his visitors,
including Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.
The new photos were posted on Facebook Friday night by President Buhari’s
personal assistant, Bashir Ahmad and another user, Buhari Sallau.
Sallau captioned the photos: “Today in London President Muhammadu Buhari
with some guests, among them Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun…. yet,
Some Haters are saying the President is dead or sick in hospital.”
But there are strong indications that the photos are old because
immediately the photos were shared, some analysts expressed their
reservation, many of whom have said the photo was from President Buhari’s
visit to the UK last year.
A user, Jeffy Jeff commented: “I don’t wish Mr President dead but this pic
was taken at his previous trip to London on health ground when Atiku
visited him.”
Another, Prince Adetunji Adepoju Adedinni, claimed Amosun was in Ogun
state yesterday and couldn’t have been in the UK.
He wrote, ”Gov. Amosun is currently in Ogun state and that is him on the
seat there. How come? This pic was a visit of his last visit when Amosun
visited him.
“The IG and top police officers went on Tuesday, the governors are making
plans to go too and they want us to believe all is well with the
president?? Why is this sudden visit to a man who left the country just
few days ago and should be on his way back to the country in few days from
now? What are they going to hurriedly tell him that is not worth waiting
or probably put a call through to him in UK??
“I can’t believe some Nigerians could be this gullible! Something is fishy
and the earlier we are informed about it, the better.”
Another user, Muhammad M Yusuf wrote: “Another lie busted. Who is fooling
who?”
Wilfred E. Okeke: “Mr. Bashir kindly say something on this comment. Am so
confused.”