The Rivers State government has said a former lawmaker and businessman from Delta State, Ned Nwoko, is after Governor Nyesom Wike because of the governor’s role in stopping him from recovering $418 million Paris Club refund fee.

In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by Information and Communications Commissioner Chris Finebone, the government said it was reacting to Nwoko’s recent call on the national leadership of the PDP to expel Wike from the party, following the persistent crisis rocking the main opposition.

Finebone said: “For the benefit of those who may be at sea about why Ned Nwoko has embarked on his voyage of unwarranted attacks on Governor Nyesom Wike, it has to be said that Ned Nwoko is reeling and riling due to the agitation and legal action some governors filed, among whom was Governor Wike, which effectively stopped the attempt to fleece the common wealth of Nigerians to the tune of $418 million over the Paris Club refund to some consultants, led by Ned Nwoko.

“It would be recalled that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), asked the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to release $418 million to Linas International Limited, a company owned by Prince Ned Nwoko and other consultants, over the Paris Club refund saga.

“Governor Nyesom Wike is among the governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) who approached the court to stop that deduction from the allocation to states and payment of same to Ned Nwoko and other so-called consultants.

“It is understandable that since the botched attempt… the former lawmaker and businessman has resorted to throwing tantrums at Governor Wike at the slightest opportunity, even when the former lacks proper understanding of the issues in question…

“The Rivers State government is challenging Ned Nwoko to make public the details of the kind of business he does apart from seeking spurious deals around government corridors to finance his passion.”