PROXY WARS: Benue group seeks probe of Wike over N.6bn failed school projects

While the face-off between Governors Nyesom Wike and Samuel Ortom of Rivers and Benue states respectively is no longer news, the use of proxies to influence the course of the bitter feud may yet open new dimensions to it.

Wike and Ortom had been at loggerheads over whose administration can best be rated as having promoted more impactful governance on the populace.

On Saturday, however, a new window to the quarrel was opened with a group, Benue Arise Network (BAN), calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Wike for allegedly mismanaging the sum of N.6billion meant for the construction of some Federal Government schools in Benue State while he served as Minister of Education.

BAN claimed that Wike, by his action, had sabotaged the educational development of Benue state.

Read also: Fayose, Wike free to leave PDP — Sheriff

Speaking through its spokesman, Comrade Terfa Youghyough, the group said, “We are pained because these contracts were awarded in 2013 for the construction of three Junior Model Girls secondary schools in Guma, Logo and Ushongo Local Governments of Benue state but the contracts were abandoned shortly after the award and mobilization of contractors.

“These awards were done under the direct supervision of the then Minister of State for Education and now Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.”

It added, “Regrettably while the Junior Girls Secondary School Ikwo, Ebonyi state was constructed and commissioned by Wike on the 15th of February 2014, those situated in Benue were abandoned after huge funds were allegedly released for that purpose.

“The development has left several of our daughters who were the school’s prospective candidates, in total despair hence the need for the anti graft agencies, (EFCC and ICPC) to probe what Wike did with the money budgeted for the project.”

Wike had lately accused the Benue governor of being a total weakling in the face of the onslaught on Benue citizens by herdsmen allegedly belonging to the Fulani stock. He even offered to build in roads in the state as part of his contribution to alleviating the plight of the people.

Otorm, on his part, maintains that Rivers has been worse off in terms of insecurity with the high rate of cult- related killings and rampant political intolerance.

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now