Wike Denies Feud With Governor-elect

Outgoing Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has denied reports on social media about a purported disagreement between him and the state governor-elect, Siminalaye Fubara.

There were reports on social media that there had been a face-off between the governor and the governor-elect, following decisions of the latter to invite the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and other leaders of the party, to his inauguration without the former’s consent.

But, speaking on Wednesday during the commissioning of the 250-bed Pamo University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Iriebe, Port Harcourt, Wike described the rumour as “baseless.”

He said: “Let me state it here that we are not quarreling. People have been peddling the rumour that we (the governor-elect and myself) are quarreling; instead of them to be happy about the good works we are doing for the state.”

Wike used the occasion to announce the donation of sum of N500million for the smooth take-off of the hospital, saying that Rivers indigenes, who have benefited from the state government’s scholarship will have to work for the state for a number of years.

The governor said: “We will support you with the sum of N500million to continue with the good work you are doing.”

Earlier, the Chairman of Pamo Educational Foundation and Pro-chancellor of Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Dr Peter Odili, described Wike as the best governor Rivers has ever produced.

Odili, who named the hospital after the outgoing governor, commending him for the numerous support to the health sector in the state, including the establishment of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Rivers State University.

He said: “We pray that the spirit that God put in you to transform Rivers State will be upon your successor. Since February 2017 when we began operations at PUMS, you have been supportive.

“You announced scholarship to 100 students annually and since then till date, you have not failed and as I speak, Rivers State Government is not owning the school fees of any scholarship awardees.

“As for this facility, patients will be treated with dignity and respect. Poverty will not be a barrier to accessing this facility.”

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Christie Mato, commended Wike for providing opportunity for Rivers youths to become  medical doctors through scholarship.

Mato said: “Many students would not have dreamt of going to the university, talkmore of private university but for the generosity if the governor and this year, the school will graduate it’s first set of medical doctors.”