yesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, has called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to sack the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, for “overthrowing” the Governments of Benue and Akwa Ibom States .

Speaking with journalists at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday, Wike said the freezing of the accounts of the two states, was more grievous than the invasion of the National Assembly by the sacked Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He stated that the unconstitutional freezing of the accounts of the two states is tantamount to the closure of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary of the states.

“I am calling for the sack of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, for overthrowing a tier government. The mere fact that the two accounts have been re-opened does not mean that a crime was not committed.

“When you freeze the account of the State Government, you have overthrown that government.  Without funds, a state cannot function. This means the shutdown of government business at Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in the affected states,” he stated.

He said the impunity of the EFCC could no longer be overlooked, because it has the capacity to affect the country’s democratic setting.

According to him, the condemnation of the EFCC illegality by the  Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum was not enough, noting that the Governors’ Forum must stand up to defend the independence of states as the second tier of government.

Wike also called for Ibrahim Magu’s prosecution, saying if the Director General of the DSS could be sacked for overthrowing just one arm of Federal Government, then Magu should be sacked.

He said: “The Chairman of that Agency overthrew the Governments of Benue and Akwa Ibom States.  Remember that this country is a federation, consisting of federating fnits. As a federal system, we have three tiers of government. These tiers of government share the funds that accrue to the federation monthly.

“It disheartens some of us to see the inconsistency of this government.  This particular agency thrives on impunity. It disobeys court orders at will. This impunity must stop.”

Governor Wike said when the Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom, was still in the All Progressives Congress (APC), the State Government’s accounts were never frozen, claiming that the action was because he defected.

He also traced the freezing of the Akwa Ibom State Government’s accounts to the defection of the former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio.

According to him, the ultimate target of the APC-led Federal Government was Rivers State.

Commenting on Akpabio’s defection, he said it was not an important issue because it has not affected the structure of the PDP.

He said at the appropriate time, he would speak on the defection which has been brewing for two months, stating that Nigerians would be shocked at what transpired before Akpabio defected.