Ex-Senator, Abe, responds to Wike’s accusation he stole money meant for road construction

A former senator from Rivers state, Magnus Abe, has responded to Governor Nyesom Wike’s accusation that he embezzled funds meant for the construction of a road in Ogoniland.
The Rivers state governor, Mr. Wike, said, Wednesday, that the immediate past administration of Rotimi Amaechi had awarded the contract worth over N4 billion to Mr. Abe for the construction of Kpopie-Bodo City Road, but that the former senator failed to complete the project.
Mr. Wike said Mr. Abe “embezzled the money” meant for the road construction.
But Mr. Abe, in a swift response, said Mr. Wike was “stooping low and indulging in bare faced lies” just so he could stop the former senator from getting re-elected into the senate.
Mr. Abe, who is the All Progressives Congress candidate in the legislative re-run election for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, said, “Let it be told to Rivers people and the Ogoni that no money was embezzled on the project rather the governor is owing the contractor to the tune of more than N400 million, which could have helped in completing the project.”
Mr. Abe’s response was contained in a statement sent on Wednesday evening to PREMIUM TIMES by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson.
“It is unfortunate to state that the governor being petty and vindictive has refused to pay the contractor in order to get back at Senator Abe, former Governor Chibuike Amaechi and the Ogoni as well as cancel and re-award the contract to his cronies.
“Any responsible person occupying the respected office of the governor should in public interest complete previous projects started by his predecessors. This, former Governor Amaechi did by completing all projects started by Chief Celestine Omehia. Such as Mile one/ Town markets, Okrika Ring Road, Eliozu fly-over and many more.