December 2021, Akwa Ibom state Governor, Udom Emmanuel promised a sum of #100 million for the state club, Akwa United for winning the league trophy in the 2020/2021 football season-the first ever in 24 years for the Promise Keepers.
The media buzzed about the story and many sports fans applauded Mr. Udom for his kind gesture. However, the promise of land and #100m happened to be an audio as the players are yet to receive the pledges.
This was confirmed from a story published by PremiumTimes in August. This isn’t the first time, Udom Emmanuel would be making promises and he won’t fulfil them instantly. He did likewise in 2017 after the club won the Aiteo Cup but pay the #70m pledge three years after.
However, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is another Politician to have promised his state club a mouth-watering prize for winning their maiden league title since the pride of PortHarcourt were formed in 2016.
Wike promised $20,000 which is equivalent to #8,932,608 via official bank rate to each member of the club ranging to 47 in total. This means, Wike would be dolling out a total of $940,000 for the team.
While Akwa United league winning players and staff are still wallowing for the pledges, Rivers United players were said to have been paid last Friday, 23rd December the promised $20,000.
The media buzzed as usual and many accolades were showered to the Governor for making the December “detty” as it’s been used in this festive season when you received an alert in your account.
Meanwhile, the captain of the club, Festus Austin has promised to win the Confederations Cup as an honour to Wike whose days are numbered as the Governor of the state.
But the big question is hope this money won’t turn into audio as we have seen on different occasions.
Enugu Rangers had to wait for six years before it was announced that promises of land and monetary incentives had been fulfilled. This was after the players in 2017 had to protest towards the unfulfilled promises as reported on Complete Sport.
Akwa United players are kept hanging on when the promises will be fulfilled as well after a year.
Is Wike capable?
Governor Wike should be given the “Father Christmas” of the year if such award exist for his generosity in different areas to several groups and the public. On Wednesday, 8th December, Wike donated a sum of N200 million to the Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Political Appointees (FOWOSO) as stated on Vanguard.
Asides from that, Wike also in October donated a whooping sum of #300m to Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).
(BREAKING NEWS) Wike Donates N300Million To COWSLO Women Conference In Lagos
With this charitable work from Wike in 2022, you may not think otherwise if he promises a sum over 400m.
With all this, fingers are crossed till an unlikely statement is made about the $20,000 pledge.
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