Nigerians’ suffering, hopelessness may not end soon – Wike says

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday claimed that with the growing corruption and insecurity in Nigeria, the despair faced by millions of Nigerians may not end soon.

Wike also appealed to the Supreme Court to give the case concerning the collection and distribution of value-added tax generated from the state by the Federal Government the urgency it requires.

He made the appeal at the commemoration of the 62nd independence anniversary of Nigeria at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt on Saturday, explained that such urgency and eventual ruling on the case in favour of the state would further add more financial resources that would accelerate the economic growth of the state.

“We have also not given up in our determination to right the injustice associated with the collection and distribution of value-added taxes generated from the state by the Federal Government just as we again call on the Supreme Court to, please, treat this matter with the urgency that it requires,” he added.

Wike said since the return of democracy in 1999, the country had continued to witness deliberate constitutional distortions, institutional weaknesses and widespread corruption that had prevented Nigerians from enjoying a robust democratic practice.