By Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The cold war between Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, got messier Thursday, as Umahi accused Wike of masterminding his current ordeals.
Umahi who claimed Wike instigated the court action that led to his sack challenged the Riversn State Governor to public debate.
The Ebonyi Governor who made the allegation while fielding questions from State House Correspondents in Abuja, claimed that at 25 he was already a billionaire.
He accused Wike of behaving like ‘Governor-General’ and asked him to concentrate on the governance of Rivers State and stop meddling into the affairs of other states.
Umahi expressed rage over Wike’s outburst and remarks against him during a recent television interview and warned him to tread with caution.
He accused Wike of corruptly enriching himself with public funds belonging to Rivers State.
Umahi described Wike’s approaches to national issues as “shameful” and asked the Rivers Chief Executive to stop ‘acting God’.
“You heard him on Channels boasting that he is the main man! That depends on the breath of God, I pity illiteracy. It’s a shame.
“You are boasting of removing another governor, what qualifies you? Just because you are packing money, that is public fund, not intellectual material but just packing money and you are boasting about it.
“Otherwise, who were you? I was a billionaire at the age of 25. And I have worked all my life. I have asked him to come for a public debate.
“I do not commission 3-4 kilometers road, I commission 34 km road; I commission twin flyovers running to 1 km; I commission mega projects with little resources.
“If he says he has done well, he is Mr. this or that, let him come for debate. Let’s start with our childhood. I’m not disturbed.
Umahi said Wike had pocketed Rivers State but reminded him that he should be ready to give account of his stewardship.