I DID NOT SPONSOR PROTEST AGAINST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT-WIKE

Israel lashed out at US President Barack Obama over a UN Security Council resolution passed Friday demanding it halt settlements in Palestinian territory, while vowing it would not abide by it.

“Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the UN and will not abide by its terms,” a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.

“The Obama administration not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the UN, it colluded with it behind the scenes,” it said.

“Israel looks forward to working with President-elect Trump and with all our friends in Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution.”

“If they like, let them bring all manner of accusations daily, it will not cow me. Three days ago, they sponsored protests against me in Abuja with the police leading the protesters.

“It is so unfortunate how they can descend so low. The DSS is unhappy because I stopped them from kidnapping a judge. Till today, they are yet to invite that particular judge,” he said.

Wike asked, assuming people want to protest, are we not in a democracy? If I am the one who is the sponsor of the planned protest in my favour, who sponsored the protests against me?

“It means they are the people who sponsored the protests”, he contended.

Wike assured the Christian leaders that he remained committed to the development of the state and the welfare of its people.

He said no level of intimidation or blackmail from federal agencies would scare him into selling out the state to external forces.

He said this was a turbulent period but that the state would overcome the challenges because he could not be cowed.

He urged Rivers people not to panic “because nobody can take the state by force despite sustained blackmail by the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“None of them gave me the mandate. The people of Rivers state gave me this mandate and I will never sell the interest of this state for whatever reason.

“I will not bring out the money of Rivers to sponsor other people outside the state”, he said.