By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOUR T— Former governor of Rivers State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Tuesday, fired back at his ex-deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, saying the latter lied when he claimed that he returned excess cash to the state’s coffers at the end of jobs assigned to him.

Amaechi, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Dave Iyofor, alleged that there was no time the former Deputy governor returned any money to the state government, adding that it was unfortunate that Ikuru could lament over issues of parting gift.

It will be recalled that Ikuru had, at a thanksgiving service, said that former Governor Amaechi did not consider him worthy to get a parting gift after serving as his deputy for over seven years.

Meantime, Amaechi, in a statement said it was sad that Ikuru could make disparaging statements against him.

“Tele is lying. He did not return any money to me and I am not aware that he returned any money to the coffers of the state government. My former deputy’s ill-advised comments against me are indeed shameful and pitiable. His attack on me and his disgusting lamentation about parting gifts only go to confirm what I have always known and said about those on the other side of the political divide in Rivers State (where my former deputy now belongs) that all they want is to share the resources and commonwealth of Rivers people among themselves. This is why they fought me and are still doing so.

“It is most unfortunate that Tele, who I kept as my deputy despite strong opposition against him, almost everyone was against him but I retained him and even ran with him for a second term, against the advice of most of my political associates, would now attempt to hideously disparage and attack me,” he added.