The Chief of Staff to the River State governor, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has faulted the claim by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he has a case to answer before the anti graft agency, and for including his name among politicians who should not contest for positions in the 2011 elections.
He alleged that the case between him and the EFCC, which started in 2008, originated from the Abuja High Court to the Federal Court of Appeal where the court, presided over by Ayobode Olokulo-Sodipe ruled in his favour.
“My initial reaction to the publication was to ignore it as mere mischief, but considering the antecedents of the EFCC and its penchant for harassing officials of Rivers State government with bogus allegations especially in periods preceding general elections, it became necessary to clarify the issues,” he said.
“I think somebody just smuggled my name into the list to intimidate me, but I shall not allow it. I will not allow anybody to arm-twist me.”
EFCC cannot stop me
Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who has had a running battle with the EFCC, also said the Commission cannot stop him from actualising his political ambition.
Mr Fayose boasted that the Commission lacks the constitutional powers to stop him from contesting next year’s election over a fraud he allegedly perpetrated while he was governor from 2003 to 2006.
“No EFCC can stop me from contesting this election, even five million EFCC cannot stop me, except a competent court of law, so I regard the threat from the agency as the ranting of an ant,” Mr Fayose said. He promised to tackle what he said was the decay in the educational, infrastructural and water sectors and the falling standard of living of the people in the state, if re-elected.
EFCC oversteps bounds
Nicholas Ugbane, chairman of the senate committee on power, says the commission cannot stop him contesting the Kogi governorship race.
“The commission is overstepping its bounds as an investigative agency,” he said.