Political Activist, Henry Shield Reacts To Tinubu’s ‘I Owe You Nothing’ Reply To Wike

Nigerian political activist and the Head Of Mission, Leadership and Accountability Initiative in Nigeria, Henry Shield has reacted to the reply of President-elect, Bola Tinubu to Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Tinubu, on Wednesday, rejected a request made by Wike, for a refund for the construction of some federal roads in the state.

Tinubu spoke while inaugurating the Rumuokwuta-Rumuola Flyover in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

While noting how the state had to amend its procurement law to enable it to source funds and complete the various flyover projects it embarked on in record time, Wike said the projects undertaken by the state ought to be done by the Federal Government.

“And unfortunately too, these projects ought to be Federal Government projects because they are federal roads.

“If we had said because they are Federal Government roads, and we won’t do it. Who are those to suffer?

“Since we have said we don’t want our people to suffer, I also believe that the Federal Government should say look, you have done well for us. These are projects we should be doing, can you bring your bill, let us refund you the money you have done these roads.

“That is what it is supposed to be for a partnership with a good Federal Government. I can assure you as you enter the office and you approve to pay this money back, other states will have the courage to also do the same thing.

“I am not asking what we are not entitled to. The Federal Government should say you are a true son of this government you have removed shame from us.”

But in his response, Tinubu stated, “The 12th flyover and the demand you made for refund, I owe you nothing. It is your road.

“You can’t chuckle at me and make a demand. You are the one living on this road. I commend your effort. You have to lobby me to collect it.”

Reacting to the reply by the former Lagos governor, Henry Shield, a strong critic of Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) took to his new Twitter handle to address Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In one of his tweets to Wike, Shield argued that the president-elect’s message was a clear way of telling Wike, who is believed to be working his way for some political gains in the new government, that he will never be allowed in Tinubu’s government.

In the other tweet, the political analyst noted that for Tinubu to say on national television that he owes Wike nothing shows he does not respect the Rivers State governor.

Henry Shield wrote, “Dear @GovWike, just in case you are unable to decode Tinubu’s message today, let me help you out: YOU WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED IN IN HIS GOVT.”

Dear @GovWike, just in case you are unable to decode Tinubu’s message today, let me help you out:

YOU WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED IN IN HIS GOVT.

— Hon Henry Shield (@HonShield) May 3, 2023

“A visitor who respects you as a Governor won’t state on national TV that he owes you nothing.”

A Visitor who respects you as a Governor won’t state on national TV that he owes you nothing.

— Hon Henry Shield (@HonShield) May 4, 2023

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that a Mercedes Benz E350, mobile phones, and laptops were the items recovered from 17 suspected internet fraudsters, better known as “Yahoo Boys” arrested by operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.