Former Rivers Deputy Gov. Says Amaechi Failed To Settle Him With Parting Gifts After Tenure

The immediate past deputy governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, has accused his former boss and state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, of maltreating him despite his contributions to the government.

Mr. Ikuru, who quit the ruling All Progressives Congress in Rivers State at the twilight of the administration, said Mr. Amaechi denied him parting gifts and money when the government finally came to a close in May.

He said this happened despite his contributions to the state, part of which was returning state funds and saving an estimated N100 billion for the state.

Speaking during a Thanksgiving Service at St. Simons Anglican Church, Ikuru-Town in Andoni Local Government Area, Sunday, Mr. Ikuru said the thanksgiving service was to thank God for his grace and faithfulness to him, his family, and friends during the eight years of service to the state.

“I served this government for seven years and seven months under Amaechi, because I was with Omehia for 5 months,” Mr. Ikuru said.

“At the end of the seven years and seven months Amaechi did not think that I deserved any parting gift in spite of the fact that in the course of this administration, by reason of the office I occupied, I returned several monies to him valued over two billion Naira cash at different times during one work or the other.”

In March, Mr. Ikuru stunned Mr. Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State when he defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party six days to the general elections.

Announcing his defection at the time, Mr. Ikuru had described the APC in the state as a party of rebels, insurgents, and anarchists clothed in robes of pretence and deceit.

“Ever since, as the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, I have continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony,” he had said.

“The more I struggle to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC.”

On Sunday, Mr. Ikuru stated that his contribution to Mr. Amaechi’s administration saved Rivers State “not less than a hundred billion Naira” over the period.

“At the end of the seven years and seven months, my boss left me hard and dry, nothing and no penny to go home with,” he added.

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