Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The livelihood of workers in Novotel hotel, Port Harcourt is now in jeopardy following directive by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike that the Certificate of occupancy of the hotel should be revoked for playing host to the Rivers State All Progressives Congress, APC non-elective congress held yesterday.
Novotel was a centre of controversy on Saturday when a faction of APC led by Senator Magnus Abe and his loyalists laid a siege at the hotel alleging that leadership of the party under the directive of former governor Rotimi Amaechi were writing results of the non-elective congress in the 23 local government areas of the state in the premises of the facility.
Speaking during the second session of the third synod of Anglican Diocese of Evo on Sunday, Governor Wike said he had directed his Special Adviser on Land to with immediate effect perfect the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of the hotel, which he said has “turned itself to the state’s worst centre of electoral fraud, which causes insecurity and instability.”
Wike claimed that just as the facility was used to manipulate Saturday’s non elective APC local government congress; it was also used on December 10, 2016 to rig elections.
“We cannot allow hotels to be used for unwholesome activities. The Special Adviser on Lands has been directed to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of Novotel. Any business that is used to affect the security of Rivers State will face the music.
“Nobody will allow rigging in 2019. In 2019, it is one man, one vote. I appeal to APC to allow internal democracy to take place.”
Wike also condemned the alleged negative statement credited to APC leaders on the laying of foundation for the construction of Judges Quarters being constructed in the state by Chief Judge of Nigeria.
The Governor asked the Church to take up the gauntlet of deciding who leads Rivers State.
He declared that the Church can no longer stand aloof because the rapid development of Rivers State supersedes all other considerations.
He said: “In Anambra and Imo States, the Catholic Church plays key role on who leads those states. In Rivers State, the Church should rise up and take a position.
“If someone comes up tomorrow and has no relationship with the Church, the Church will suffer. Rivers State is a Christian State; the Church must play a role.”
Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev. Innocent Ordu appealed to Rivers People to support and pray for the Wike administration because it is working for the development of the country.
In his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Rt. Rev. David Bello said that Governor Wike stands as a worthy ambassador of the Church, delivering projects without excuses.
He said while other governors continue to give excuses for non performance, Governor Wike has repeatedly deployed resources to develop his people.