The senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Andrew Uchendu, says the two hundred million naira doled out by Governor Nyesom Wike from the purse of Rivers State to Benue State, is a show of executive rascality and political insensitivity.
In a statement released to the press in Port Harcourt, Senator Uchendu said that it was wrong for the governor to go about donating funds for crisis relief to another state especially when his home state is facing more pressing challenges.
He said: "The killings that took place in Benue State is most unfortunate and highly regrettable. It is indeed proper for every man and woman of goodwill to commiserate with them. Given our culture and Christian beliefs, one should show empathy to people who have challenges.
"However, doling out two hundred million naira of our commonwealth to another state is a show of executive rascality and political insensitivity to the plight of Rivers people in these austere times.
"At a time when our students are stranded abroad due to non-payment of tuition and sundry fees; pensioners and workers are being owed so many months salaries and allowances; many schools, hospitals and other failing infrastructure are begging for maintenance, the governor would have used those funds that he is throwing around to fight these ills.
"Governor Wike, by all these actions has touched on the sensitivity of the people and he needs to stop taking us for a ride. We have been taken for granted for too long and this must stop forthwith!" he warned.
Senator Uchendu added that he is compelled to speak up for the voiceless and subdued people of the state even though the elites might think differently, as is reflected in the high level delegation that accompanied the governor to this visit.
Comments