Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State explained yesterday that the refusal of President Goodluck Jonathan to repay over N105 billion spent by the state government on the repairs of federal roads in the state was the major cause of their disagreement.

Amaechi spoke in Abuja after the presentation of a documentary titled: Dynamic of Change, which chronicled the achievements of his administration in the last eight years.

He said that even with three days to the expiration of the life of the present regime, the money was yet to be refunded.

He also hinted that his quarrel with President Jonathan escalated following the unnecessary interference of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, in the affairs of Rivers State.

According to him, his resistance to the unsolicited actions of Mrs. Jonathan whom he accused of unleashing Police, military and other security agencies on the state to achieve her aim, fueled their disagreement.

Amaechi expressed gratitude to God for seeing him through his tenure as the governor of the state despite many efforts to remove him from office.

On his achievements in the state, the governor stated that the projects were executed in an attempt to bequeath people-oriented legacies to the people of the state, adding that he engaged 13, 200 of the 91,000 teachers required to boost education in state.

He, however, hinted that the state’s financial earnings from oil proceeds which used to be N20 billion had reduced to N6 billion due to the dwindling oil prices.

The occasion attracted the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, his former deputy, Chibudom Nwuche, Senator Magnus Abe and other officials of Rivers State Government.

*Adapted from Vanguard. Photo shows Amaechi

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