By Baron Ike
The Federal Government has said that the claim by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that the government at the centre wants to assassinate him was false.
It also said that the governor would have been interrogated by security agents on his allegation if he is not covered by immunity.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed told newsmen after the FEC in Abuja that the allegation by the governor was weighty for any serious government to just allow it to pass.
He was speaking after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari
At the meeting, the government approved N5.1 billion for the rehabilitation of Ila Orangun – Oke Ila – Ilale Aka road linking Osun to Ekiti state.
Mohammed said the rehabilitation of the 34 kilometers’ road project, which was started by Osun State Government, was abandoned after about three kilometers work on the project.
On allegation by Wike that Federal Government is plotting to assassinate him, the minister dismissed the allegation, saying if not because the governor enjoys immunity from prosecution, “he would have been summoned by relevant security agencies to prove the allegation.”
On Sunday Wike alerted Nigerians that the Federal Government was plotting to assassinate him in a crowd and claim accidental discharge.
Wike was speaking at the third year anniversary thanksgiving service of his administration at Living Faith Church in D-Line, Port Harcourt.
Wike said: “Intelligence reports available to us as at this morning indicate that they are plotting to assassinate me in a crowd and claim it was accidental discharge.’’
The minister, however, condemned the allegation, adding that Wike was only enjoying the privilege of being a serving governor.
Mohammed said: “I think one of the beauties of being a governor is that you enjoy immunity from prosecution and arrest.
“Because, I remember a couple of years ago when I made similar allegations, I was invited to Force Headquarters.’’
On the touted resignation of Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, from the Federal Executive Council following his emergence as APC candidate for Ekiti governorship elections, Mohammed said he was not fully aware of such plan.
“I think I read it just like you that he will resign this week. If he did say so today is just Wednesday. I think we still have the rest of the week to see if he will resign.
“But I think really he is the best person that can speak on it,’’ he added.
Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd), also disclosed that the Council approved N582 million for consultancy services for construction of technology building to accommodate data communication command and control centre for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Dambazau said the completion period of the contract was 22 months.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, revealed that the Council approved N1.6 billion for the procurement and installation of 64 tonnes capacity Mobile Crane for Lokoja River Port complex as well as training of staff.
He said the Council also approved N280 million for hiring of International Advisers saddled with the responsibility of advising the Federal Government on the financial models to be adopted while negotiating for various railways contracts.