POWER GAME: The police in Port Harcourt, Friday sealed off properties belonging to persons identified as allies of PDP flagbearer in the February presidential election Atiku Abubakar. This is coming weeks after the state governor Nyesom Wike threatened to sanction hotels and relaxation spots used as gathering points for political thugs and cultists.
Basic Facts
- The police in Port Harcourt sealed off two hotels and a filling station without giving reason(s) for the actions.
- The properties sealed belongs to associates of a prominent supporter of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate.
- Atiku Abubakar has been in open rift with Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State governor, who openly mocked Atiku`s supporters in the State and threatened to go after some property categories in the state.
What We Know
The infighting within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially with Rivers State Governor and the Rivers State allies of the presidential candidate of the party has now moved up the leather, as things appear to be transcending politics, some sources have told Clariform.
Clariform Newsdesk have confirmed the sealing of a filling station in Port Harcourt reportedly owned by a member of the House of Representatives, Chinyere Igwe. Igwe is an ally of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara, who is a supporter of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
Also another hotel owned by one Ikechi Chinda, a former PDP chairman in Port Harcourt LGA and a relative of Austin Opara, has also been sealed off.
In the same vein, a lounge belonging to Ogbonda Jones, who is a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and also an ally of Austin Opara, has been sealed up by the police. Thus far, no reason has been given for the action of police in Port Harcourt.
The operations by police officers suspected to be from government house Port Harcourt, also saw the arrest of no fewer than 40 staff and customers, who were at the facilities during the time of the operation.
However, Chinyere Igwe, reacting to the development on Friday, alleged that the action of police on his filling station is “politically motivated”.
Reacting to this development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has kicked against the sealing of business facilities belonging to some loyalists of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar, in Port Harcourt. The APC Assistant Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwaju in a statement, said the party was alarmed at the style of harming businesses in the state under the pretense of regulation.
Also, the APC Chairman in Rivers State, Hon Emeka Beke who spoke to a private radio station in Port Harcourt also condemned the move and warned against returning the state to 2013-2015 era that saw the then police commissioner of Rivers State Joseph Mbu been used to intimidate the opposition.
A source familiar with happenings in the state have also told a Clariform reporter that the action of the state governor “is nothing other than political vendetta.” The source said the “Governor Wike is on vengeance mission against those who are undermining him in PDP from Rivers State, period.”
Notable Quotes
APC’s Assistant Publicity Secretary Darlington Nwauju, who has been speaking for the party since the surprising and sddden defection of the substantive Publicity Secretary of the party, Chris Finebone said:
“May we draw the attention of the State Government and its agents to the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which allows for freedom to live and move freely in Rivers State.”
“Not even the President is empowered under our constitution to seal up people’s legitimate businesses for whatever reasons.”
“Even if a business premises is reasonably suspected to be one that is used for illegitimate purposes, only a Court of law can pronounce the Company or individual guilty. Nobody under the principle of fair hearing can one be a judge in his own matter (nemo judex in causa sua).”
“We regrettably recall the illegal demolition of Prudent Hotel, Alode and Etemeteh Hotel, Onne in Eleme LGA in 2020 for allegedly flouting COVID-19 lockdown directives.”
Catch-up
This development is coming two weeks after Governor Nyesom Wike in a state wide broadcast, threatened to seal off hotels and relaxation centres who let out their facilities for political meeting of those he accused of plotting to destabilise the state.
Recall that Clariform Newsdesk had in that report, reminded our readers of hotels demolished during the COVID 19 lockdown in the state.
This is also a sad reminder of the checkered history of the state and indeed Nigeria in use state agencies to intimidate perceived political enemies.
Takeaway
While Clariform Newsdesk agrees that the government has a responsibility to regulate businesses, and ensure protection of lives and properties, such power should not be seen as a licence that allows for the intimidation of political opponents.
Most importantly, businesses should be left out of politics, as any misuse of political power to harm business and investments never augur well for Nigeria and indeed any society.
If there is anything, using politics to hurt businesses, drives away investors and increase the ballooning armies of the unemployed at a time government should be working to reduce the rising unemployment figures in the country.
Also important is the undeniable fact that, a politicized business environment harms also the government. It reduces investors interest, which in turn also reduces government earnings through taxation, a situation which leaves the state with lesser revenue for development.
At this juncture, Clariform Newsdesk would call the police authorities and indeed other security agencies to caution their men from been used as willing tools of destabilization and political witch hunting.
The crisis this creates may worsen the already volatile security situation, thereby creating more trouble for security agencies. A word they say is enough for the wise.
