The Sister states of Rivers and Bayelsa are heading for a collision course after comments by the two governors.
Rivers state governor had in a recent project commissioning thanked president Mohammadu Buhari for releasing arrears of the 13 percent derivation.
The comments by the River State governor elicited reaction from the Bayelsa State governor who said the 13 percent derivation funds is being prudently managed and utilized adding that the cost of construction of three kilometers of road in Bayelsa is more than five flyovers, which apparently referring to his Rivers State counterpart.
But in a swift reaction the Governor of Rivers State, Wike in a press statement through his commissioner for information and communications, Chris Finebone slammed Governor Diri saying those who are angry about Wike’s comment praising Buhari for releasing the 13 percent oil derivation arrears are doing so out of petty jealousy.
The statement reads, “During the commissioning of Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt recently, Gov. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, made a unique remark appreciating the President, Muhammadu Buhari, for contributing to why he (Wike) is able to deliver outstanding projects for the people and residents of Rivers State. Particularly, Gov. Wike thanked President Buhari for releasing accumulated monies to the State under the 13% derivation fund that were not paid by the federal government before Buhari became President.
“To the fair minded, that was a genuine appreciation from a grateful heart. But sadly, that harmless appreciation by Gov. Wike has become a source of needles worry by some governors in the Niger Delta. One of such governors is Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.
“The holy book says that from the bounty of the heart the mouth speaks. It appears that Gov. Diri has been living under the yoke of petty jealousy since Gov. Wike embarked on building flyovers totaling 12 in number, so far, to ease the perennial traffic gridlock in the city of Port Harcourt. Curiously, all that was needed for Diri to voice his burning jealousy was a harmless comment by Gov. Wike showing appreciation to President Buhari.
“One local saying has it that when a masquerade gets aberrant in his display, it becomes necessary to tell him the wood its mask is carved from. Gov. Diri very well knows that it will not be difficult to tell him in plain language the wood he was carved from. But restrain will suffice at this time, believing that he will eventually shade his garment of jealousy and allow reason prevail.
“It will be unthinkable to imagine that Gov. Duoye Diri did not know or has suddenly forgotten the history of Rivers and Bayelsa States. It is said that when providence throws up some persons to a position of leadership in a society, they may destroy the family bond due to their deficient perception of life.
“The Rivers State Government believes that there are sufficient leaders in our sister Bayelsa State that are capable of calling their governor to order so as not to undermine the thread that binds our people together. A stitch in time saves nine!
“It must be said that the appreciation Gov. Wike openly expressed for President Buhari was never meant to be a call for governors of the Niger Delta states to be probed or a demand for the governors to give account for monies paid to them under the 13% derivation fund. Far from it! It was an open expression of appreciation and nothing more. Governor Wike has a right to express his opinion. How other governors understand a rather straightforward statement and the many interpretations given to it are entirely their business.”
It would that the two state had been embroiled in altercation over boundary dispute of Soku and Oluasiri Oil Wells during the administration of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Peter Odili in 2000-2001.
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