Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has said the N200m he gave former Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, during his campaign for governor of Rivers state in 2014/2015 was from his savings.
While speaking at his family thanksgiving held in Rivers state on Sunday, June 18, Wike acknowledged the help Akpabio gave to him when he was running for office in 2014/2015. He mentioned that Akpabio who was governor of Akwa Ibom state at the time, stood against all odds for him to running for office and also doled out N200 million to support his campaign. Wike stated that Akpabio’s act of kindness back then made him support his race to become the Senate President.
“When I was running in 2014 and 2015, he came out and supported me. He gave me N200 million for that election. Don’t look back. EFCC cannot touch you.” he said as the congregation burst into laughter
However while speaking at the reception after the thanksgiving service, Akpabio clarified that the money was not from the coffers of the Akwa Ibom state government but from his savings.
“The money I gave to Wike in 2014 when he was running for Governor was from my savings in the telecoms industry where I was a managing director, It was not from the government of Akwa Ibom State.”he said
Watch videos of the politicians speaking here.