Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike, has rubbished the claims that he has a financial agreement with former first lady, Patience Jonathan.

Wike had been accused of having an understanding to pay Mrs Jonathan $2 million for helping him win the governorship election of the state.

According to the governor, the allegations are ridiculous and depicts a lack of respect for leadership in the country.

In an interview with Vanguard, he said in part: “In this country we don’t have respect for leadership. It is very ridiculous for anybody to say that I and the former first lady had a pact to be remitting money. It is rather very unfortunate.

“What can I give to the (former) First Lady? She is from Rivers State, she wanted her husband’s party to win (gubernatorial election in) Rivers State and looked at all the people who were running for the election and said who can actually make her husband’s party to win Rivers State and said Mr. Z can do it and decided to support Mr. Z, then it becomes a bad thing?”

I can’t understand this country. You were here when they said I was giving her $2 million. It is so ridiculous. That is why we don’t respect leadership.”