Rivers State Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike has stated that he will probe the Rotimi Amaechi administration after assuming office on May 29.
The incoming governor made this disclosure while receiving the interim report of the Transition Committee in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Wike noted that his administration would carry out a forensic audit of all government accounts as soon he takes over power on Friday.
According to him, that would enable him to recover funds that might have allegedly been stolen by top officials of the outgoing administration in the state.
He said those who were involved in the squandering of N4.5bn to conduct a local government election by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, even when the court had stopped the exercise, would be made to account for their actions.
Explaining that the days of impunity and corruption were over, Wike noted that Rivers would be a test case in the fight against corruption.
His words, “I am not going to be intimidated. The only way we can work together is to check the ills of the past. The right thing must be done. Those who have stolen the resources of the state must be made to account for them.
“I have the political will to drive the process to its logical conclusion. The massive stealing of government resources was a deliberate attempt to create problems for the incoming administration,” Wike said.
“All the top officials of Amaechi administration who have refused to cooperate in the interest of Rivers State during the transition period will soon cooperate whether they like it or not.
“Those who have closed the courts will be the same persons rushing to the courts when we open the courts,” Wike further declared.
Reacting to Wike’s statement, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, told newsmen that Amaechi was not afraid of probe, adding the governor had been transparent and sincere in governing the state.
“No government that is transparent and sincere like that of Amaechi will be afraid of probe. It (probe) is good to do except if it is originally intended to be a witch-hunt,” Amaechi aide said.
On Wike’s claim that N4.5bn was used to conduct the council election, Okocha disagreed with the governor-elect, saying, “He (Wike) should also understand that he who lives in a glass house should not throw stones.”
