PDP justifies Wike’s N500Million donation to Sokoto State

The Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State chapter has explained the reasons the state Governor, Nyesom Wike donated N500 million to Sokoto State on behalf of the state.

Wike on Wednesday donated N500 million to Sokoto to support the rebuilding of the state’s central market.

NewsWireNGR recalls that, on Tuesday, a fire had burnt down a section of the market.

The decision had generated criticism because it was at a time the Wike administration was yet to resolve a lingering dispute over the non-payment of pensions and gratuity to thousands of retired civil servants in the state,

Commenting on the controversy the donation has generated, the Rivers State PDP Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor on Sunday explained the motive behind the generosity.

He said Rivers State and Sokoto State enjoy a strategic partnership and the majority of traders in the burned markets are Southerners.

“You are aware that Rivers State and Sokoto state are strategic partners. Of course, you know the story of Rivers and Sokoto right from the period of Okilo, Ramani Aba, we have always related,” Akawor said.

“When it comes to politics, wherever you see Rivers State is going, that is where you see Sokoto State will go. Today, he (Wike) has extended a hand of fellowship to traders in Sokoto, where most of them are southerners.

“Somebody somewhere now is saying, why should he do that? How can you please people? In terms of projects he is executing, they said the bridges are too many or the roads are too long, or the roads are too many.

“When some states are complaining that their governors are not performing. Please, I think it is time for us to encourage our own.”