By Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday told Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that he (Tinubu) owes him nothing, saying that “You have to lobby me to collect”.

Tinubu said this in Port Harcourt the state capital, during the inauguration of the Rumuokuta Flyover, while responding to a request by Governor Wike, who asked for refunds on federal projects undertaken by states of the federation

Rivers State governor Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in his welcome address, told the President-elect Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the Rumuola Bridge was the 12th flyover, his government built, and all paid for.

Governor Wike told his guest that his administration had built many federal government roads in his time, and pleaded with the would-be President, for refund of the cost of the road projects, when he takes over, as the President.

The governor disclosed that the choice of Julius Berger, for construction of Rivers roads, was to ensure delivery and quality service.

Governor Wike noted that such refund will rather encourage other state governors to do the same, and even more, emphasizing that collaboration is indispensable in democratic governance.

He drew his guest’s attention to the dualization of the Ahoada- Omoku-Egbema road, as well as many other federal government roads in the State.

“Although these are federal government roads, we constructed them, because we want our people to be happy. We chose the company we trust, to do the works for our people, we don’t want them to suffer,” he affirmed.

Responding, the President-elect told Wike: “On the demand you made for refund, I owe you nothing. It’s your road. You’re the one living on these roads. I commend your efforts. You have to lobby me to collect.”

However, attesting to growing intimacy between him and the Rivers outgoing governor, Tinubu said: “My visit to Rivers is a promise kept, a promise fulfilled. If you talk of character, Governor Nyesom Wike you are very dependable.

“In Wike, I see a man of principle. He took a stand that the presidency must return to the South. And he had the courage to stand by his conviction, not minding whose ox is gored.

“He is indeed a man of great integrity. You promoted unity, promoted fairness, you championed justice”, he added.