Why I supported Akpabio to become Senate President – Wike

Former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has explained the reasons he supported Godswill Akpabio to emerge as the 10th Senate President of the National Assembly.

Wike described Akpabio as his long-time loyalist, adding that during his campaign in 2014 and 2015, he donated N200 million to its progress.

He disclosed this at his special thanksgiving service organised by his family at the St. Peters Deanery, Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpor area of the state, on Sunday.

The former Rivers governor said while he was heavily criticised, Akpabio backed his ambition to become governor in 2015.

“When I was running in 2014 and 2015 he came out and supported me. He gave me N200 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,” he said.

However, in a response to Wike’s claim, Akpabio said that the N200 million he gave to Wike in 2015 was not from the purse of Akwa Ibom, where he was governor then.

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