By OKODILI NDIDI, Abuja

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike on Sunday asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to respond to allegations of printing N60billion to augment March Allocation to States raised by his Edo colleague Governor, Godwin Obaseki, instead of resorting to cheap blackmail.

Wike accused the CBN of shying away from the allegation by raking up the issue of debts owed by State Governments as a diversion from the subject matter.

The Governor, who spoke at the dedication of Senator Rochas Okorocha’s grandson, said Obaseki knows the antics of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration and could not have made the statement without facts.

He said: “It is very unfortunate Obaseki was in APC, so he understands them. So Obaseki couldn’t have come from the blues to say they printed N60 billion, he knows them.

“If you hear what the governor of the Central Bank said, instead of answering the question, he said governors should pay back the bailout loan.

“That is not the issue, it was a loan, so if you want to go and take it, go and take it, but answer the question whether money was printed or not, that is the issue.’’

On his recent romance with the former Imo Governor, Wike said they have been acquaintances since 1999 and has remained close since then.

“I have known him since 1999 when I was the Council Chairman, so there is nothing political about it. I don’t abandon people because of politics. It is in my character to always keep my friendship with people. It is not based on party or politics”. (The Nation)