Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, has bought 16 brand new Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for all the federal legislators in the state.

Presenting the gift to the lawmakers at the Rivers State Government House on Monday, Wike said the gesture was his way of helping them carry out their official functions.

“Defend the interest of the state wherever you are,” Wike charged them. “This is from the Government of Rivers State, which you are part of. This is to aid you carry out your official functions in Abuja.”

Three of the newly-acquired cars are for the senators while 13 are for members of the House of Representatives, as Wike said the gift was for all the legislators irrespective of their political party.

While receiving the cars, Betty Apiafi, leader of the Rivers caucus at the House of Reps, and Bari Mpigi, her deputy, thanked the Governor for providing the needed support for lawmakers.

It is not clear whether Magnus Abe, senator representing Rivers South East in the Senate and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accepted the gift, given that Abe and Wike are sworn political enemies.

In August, the Court of Appeal nullified the election victory of George Sekibo, who hitherto represented Rivers East at the Senate on the platform of the PDP, pronouncing Andrew Uchendu of the APC winner of the election.

But Uchendu is yet to be sworn in and when ICIR checked on the website of the National Assembly, only the name of George Sekibo was shown as senator from Rivers State.