The Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike says he owes no one an apology over the demolition of two properties belonging to the Bayelsa State Government in Port Harcourt.
According to him, Rivers State capital is not for political reasons.
Bayelsa State Government through the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Andrew Esua, had expressed reservations about the action of the Rivers State Government.
According to him, the demolition of the properties should not have occurred as both Rivers and Bayelsa are sister states and have a long history of cordiality, even as he believed that the issue could have been amicably resolved.
Reacting at the International wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport at the wee hours of today just after returning from a foreign trip, Wike said the demolition of the Bayelsa State properties is not the first to be carried out by his administration as part of his urban renewal plan.
The governor said the Rivers State Government has previously demolished properties belonging to other states, including the Edo State Government after due consultation with the governor at the time, Adams Oshiomhole.
He listed persons and corporations that have been affected by his urban renewal policy to include Mr. Mike Adenuga, the Nigeria Railway Corporation and the Nigeria Airways.
Governor Wike said despite the interpretations being given to his action, he owes no one an apology.
Explaining that the Rivers State Government plans to use the demolished sites to build more quarters for judges in Rivers State, Wike said no one can decide for the government how to plan the development of Rivers State.
The governor blamed the demolition of the buildings on Governor Douye Diri whom he said failed many times to keep to his promise of renovating the properties.
He said apart from writing to the Rivers state Government to beg for time which he never honoured, Governor Diri also failed to honour the promises he made to him personally and at other time before Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State.
