₦200m 2015 Campaign Support Was My Telecom Business Savings, Akpabio Counters Wike

At the special thanksgiving service held in honour of the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday, at St Peter’s Deanery, Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpor, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, explained that the sum of ₦200 million with which he supported the former governor’s 2015 election campaign was from his pocket and not the coffers of the Akwa Ibom State government.

Akpabio was quick to make the clarification following Wike’s revelation of how the President of the 10th Senate had supported his campaign then, having described him (Akpabio) as a long time loyalist.

Wike, in his usual no holds barred speech, noted that Akpabio was unflinching in his support amid criticisms against his ambition to become governor in 2015.

He said, “When I was running in 2014/2015 he came out and supported me. He gave me ₦200 million for that election.

“That is why I said one good turn deserves another. I supported him this time, and I thank God he won,” Wike said.

However, in a quick response to the claim, Akpabio said the ₦200 million he gave to Wike in 2015 was not from the purse of Akwa Ibom, where he was governor then.

The Senate President explained that the money was from his savings from the telecom sector, where he was a managing director before becoming governor.