Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Aspirant and Former Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has declared that his conflict with the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi started after he advised him to stop insulting President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience.

Wike spoke at a Thanksgiving service organised in his honour by the Rumuepirikom community of Obio/Akpor on Sunday, according to a press statement by his media assistant, Simeon Nwakaudu.

•Wike: explains conflict with Ameachi

Wike stated that he will never stand by and watch Amaechi disrespect Jonathan, because it is against the culture of the people.

He said: ” Today, Amaechi is insulting me, simply because I asked him to stop insulting Mr President. Since then, Amaechi has never stopped to insult me. It was in this church that he publicly addressed me as a man of character because I refused to sell him out while he was hiding in Ghana. They made all manner of offers to me, but I stood by Amaechi and delivered the judgment he celebrated yesterday.

“I will never stand by and allow Amaechi insult President Jonathan who has delivered to Rivers State , the people of South South and Nigeria.”

The former Minister said that contrary to Amaechi’s claims that Jonathan has done nothing for Rivers People, President Jonathan has invested in the development of Rivers State, especially in the education sector.

He said: “The President gave every support that was required for me to succeed as a Minister who supervised basic education and at a point the supervising Minister of Education. As a Minister of State for Education, I ensured that amenities and facilities were attracted to Rivers State. It was during this period that I attracted the faculty of law to University of Port Harcourt. I also attracted the Faculty of Social Science building at the University of Port Harcourt.

“The State University of Education got direct special intervention of N500million for the development of infrastructure. This was done after the Vice Chancellor approached me and I raised a memorandum, which was approved by the President.

“The President also approved N500million for the State Polytechnic in Bori. The funds are being used. Go to the state polytechnic and see the project being executed. The Rector approached me and I initiated the memorandum for the development of the structure.”

He said that Another direct intervention was the development of a Teaching Laboratory in the Federal College of Education, Technical in Omoku at the cost of N250million.

“In Rivers State, President Jonathan approved the upgrading of basic education schools in he state. 21 schools have received facelift in Rivers State to ensure better education for Rivers State. One of the schools is located in Ubima Community School in the governor’s village.”

The Minister listed all the schools scattered across all the three senatorial districts of the state where the Federal Government directly intervened, pointing out that lying against the President would come to nought because the truth will always come to light.

He added that several Rivers State indigenes have benefitted from Federal scholarship and series of employment under President Goodluck Jonathan.

Amaechi at a mega rally in Port Harcourt on Saturday accused a Jonathan supporter, trying to be governor of collecting N3billion for a road project, which he failed to do.

He said President Jonathan’s administration has turned corruption to an industry.” We will not allow thieves to rule us as Governor or as President in 2015.I challenge them to integrity test. Don’t worry their files are with me until the time comes.”

Governor Amaechi also challenged President Jonathan to point to one federal project he has cited in Rivers state for about 2 million votes he got from the state in 2011.

“Our Port Harcourt International Airport which he flies into has been abandoned. All the Soku oil wells in Kalabari land have been taken to Bayelsa, while 40 oil wells belonging to Etche people have been taken to Abia state. As Governor how can I call a President who has taken away the wealth I swore to protect my brother?”