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BREAKING! Tinubu Rebuffs Wike’s Reimbursement Demand, Says “It’s Your Road; You Have To Lobby Me To Collect”

By Emmanuel Nwafor

May 3, 2023

President-Elect, Ahmed Bola Tinubu has rebuffed the demand for reimbursement for the flyovers done two federal roads in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital by Governor Nyesom Wike.  

Tinubu, who said this on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, during the commissioning of the Rumuokwuta Flyover in Port Harcourt, said the flyovers were in Port Harcourt and being used by residents of the State as such does not qualify for reimbursement from the Federal Government.

President-Elect, Bola Tinubu (2nd right) flanked from right by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bisi Akande, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

“On the demands you made about getting refunds for the 12 flyovers, I ow you nothing.”

“It’s your road; the roads are here and you are the one using it. You cannot ask me to refund you.”

“You have to lobby me if you want to collect. You are the one using it.”

The President-Elect had earlier commended the Governor for his developmental strides, noting that his prudent utilization of scarce finances and harnessing of resources around him to emplace projects that upscale the living standards of his people was worthy of accolades.

Wike had earlier asked Tinubu to consider refunding the State the monies spent to construct the flyovers and other maintenance works done on the two federal roads, Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway and Ikwerre Road.

The Governor said there were six flyovers on Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway and three on Ikwerre Road, saying the flyovers and maintenance works on both roads was done to ease the traffic, alleviate the sufferings of the people and avert resentment towards the government.

He said the State Governor-Elect, Siminialayi Fubara would prepare the necessary documentations requesting for the refunds when he is inaugurated into office, urging Tinubu to accede to the request when it comes to his desk as President.

Curiously, Tinubu turned down the request, pointing out that the outgoing governor cannot ambush him with such request. Highpoint of the event was the commissioning of the flyover and later the Magistrate Court Building in State Judiciary Complex.