President-elect, Bola Tinubu, says his critics on social media have read unpleasant meaning to comments he made during his inauguration of some projects in Rivers state on Wednesday.
Speaking during the inauguration of flyovers constructed by the state governor, Nyesom Wike, Tinubu turned down the request of Wike for a refund of the money spent on the project, saying that he owed him nothing.
Tinubu comment generated a lot of reactions on social media, with oppositions insinuating that Tinubu’s comments is the beginning of comeuppance for Wike and a glimpse of how Wike will be treated when Tinubu is eventually sworn in after Wike sabotaged his party, PDP, and went above and beyond to ensure APC won the presidential election in Rivers.
However, reacting to people’s view on his remarks, Tinubu asked his traducers to continue saying whatever they like on various online platforms, saying it is a free speech society.
Tinubu insisted that his reason for telling the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, that he would not refund the cost of the flyovers he constructed in Rivers was because he could not make any commitment until he was sworn in as the President.
Tinubu, during a banquet in his honour on Wednesday night revisited what he called the banter with Wike, noting that it has generated a lot of reactions on social media.
But, the former Lagos State Governor said there is no name he has not been called on the social media, stating that he does not respond to social media criticisms.
His words: “I exchanged a banter with Gov Wike, if you take me seriously, (it’s left to you). The truth is, I’m a President-elect. I have no signature for expenditure until sworn in. How can I make a commitment? I cannot sign a dime of Nigeria money or expenditure now. There can only be one one president at a time.
“If you ask me to go and commit to things that are mere expectations and cannot be fulfilled, I believe in fulfilling promises, that’s why I’m here. And we have to do it for Nigeria. I thank you all for the support you gave me during the election, but I’m still on a countdown.
“If I sign anything for you now and commit to it, I can’t pay. For that flyover, how can I pay, personal? That’s not realistic.
“I hope that clears the social media fears. I don’t respond to (social media talks). There is no name they’ve not called me on (social media). It’s a free speech society and around the world.”
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