Nyesom Wike
THE presidency has carpeted governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike for adopting diversionary tactics by accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of politicizing the Convid-19 by favouring Lagos state with intervention grant of N10 billion on the fight against the pandemics but excluded Rivers.
Governor Wike had in a broadcast on Sunday criticized the federal government for releasing intervention fund of 10 billion naira to Lagos state but ignored Rivers state despite its status as the oil hub of the nation.
“It is quite unfortunate that the containment of coronavirus has been politicized by the Federal Government. While Lagos State received a grant of N10billion as a commercial hub, Rivers State as the nation’s oil and gas hub that produces a greater percentage of the nation’s wealth has not received any support from the Federal Government”, Wike said.
Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari, Ajuri Ngelale, in a reaction to Cool Wazobia-Info FM in Port Harcourt said there is no basis for the comparison as the reported index of coronavirus cases in Lagos deserved whatever attention it has got from the federal government unlike Rivers state that has few number of confirmed cases.
Ngelale who further disclosed that the Federal Government is building isolation centres in Port Harcourt, even without a request by the Rivers state Government on account of its responsibility and obligations to safeguard lives and properties all over the nation added that Governor Wike resorted to diversionary tactics to attack the presidency on account of unkind reactions from people of the state over lockdown and closure of markets in the state by the governor.
He argued that Lagos is in the southwest and not President Buhari’s geopolitical zone, hence the federal government’s intervention was unbiased and cannot be misconstrued or linked to personal interests but of a clear national concern.
“Governor Wike is not happy with the reactions of the people for the lockdown and closure of markets that would not allow people to access to food, goods and services. You even hear key PDP members distancing themselves from the closure of markets without alternatives. To distract the attention of the people, he decided to blame the Federal Government that it is giving Lagos money and none to Rivers.
“As we speak, the Federal Government is establishing a-210 bed Isolation Centre in conjunction with the private sector. The Governor didn’t ask for it. It is being done because of the proactive nature Presidential Taskforce on Covid19”, Ngelali said.
Rivers residents have angrily criticized Gov. Wike’s order over the short period granted by the state government to shop for Easter celebration arguing that only five hours for all markets to reopen for them to restock for only April 7 and 8 (Tuesday and Wednesday) respectively for the Easter and later shut down again is unrealistic and insensitive. They contended that the short period will give rise to panic buying and rushing, thereby defeating the social distancing policy.