Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to name governors stealing local government funds. 

Mr Wike made this statement in reaction to Mr Buhari’s allegation that state governors pocket funds meant for local government administration, accusing the president of “class defamation.”

“I want to challenge Mr President (Buhari) you are a leader, you must come out and tell Nigerians who are those committing this offence,” the Rivers governor retorted. “You said the governors are taking local government funds. I want to say in the name of almighty God, I’ve not touched local government fund for one day.”

“So Mr President, tell us who are those people. It is not good to do class defamation, saying governors. I’m not one of those governors. So tell Nigerians and announce those governors taking local government funds,” he stressed.

Mr Wike made this statement at the inauguration of Mgbuosimini internal road in River State on Friday. 

On Thursday, Mr Buhari flayed state governors for circumventing funds meant for local governments. He alleged that the state chief executives are responsible for stunted development and corruption at the grassroots.

“What they did, this is my personal experience, if the money from the Federation Account to the State is about N100 million, N50 million will be sent to the Chairman but he will sign that he received N100 million. The Governor will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with,” Mr Buhari told a delegation from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.