By Uche Mbah
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has stood solidly behind the Rivers state governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on the demolition of two hotels that allegedly flouted the lockdown order of the state government.
Recall that Governor Wike made good his threat to demolish hotels that harbor those that sneak into the state during the lockdown. He had intercepted some trailers that brought in some Northerners hidden inside it with cattle and ordered the auction of the cattle and the vehicles and the quarantine of the people that came with, threatening to demolish any hotel that harbors those that sneak into the state. The hotels are Prudent Hotel, Alode, in Eleme and Etemeteh hotel in Onne .
He made good his threat.
His action has been followed by widespread condemnation by Nigerians, particularly in the Social media, with people describing him in harsh tones, some calling him the new dictator.
The owner of the hotels is a prominent Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftain. Wike also belongs to the PDP.
But the PDP, in a tweet Monday, commended the governor for the demolition.
“The owner of the hotel is the PDP Youth Leader in Rivers State,” the party tweeted on their verified Twitter handle, @PDP_2023. “One of our own. He defaulted despite the warnings and he has paid for it. People sneak into the State and hide in hotels. If there’s no hotel, they’ll not have where to sleep. Wike Leads We Follow”.
Earlier, wike himself had explained why he did it.
“Government has no alternative but to apply the Executive order which I signed before the lockdown of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt,” he said. “I called all the Traditional Rulers and Council Chairmen and told them to ensure that no hotel operates in the State.
“We are not saying it will be forever. This is for now so that we know where we are. To reduce the cases and check the spread.
“Whether you are PDP or not, all we are saying is that nobody is above the law. If we can do this to a PDP person, then you know we are not discriminatory. Everyone must obey. Whether you are in the PDP, SDP, or no party, you must obey the law. If any other person does the same thing, the same rule will apply.
“We said no hotel should operate within this period. Unfortunately, the PDP Youth Leader in Eleme joined others to flout the Executive Order. Therefore, the executive order will be applied.
“We said if any hotel operates, the government will bring down that hotel. We are doing what we have told people that we are going to do.
“Nobody wants to obey any rules. We are saying just for now, keep off, let us see how we can keep our people safe.
“Look at the rate of infections, most of these people are found in hotels. Look at the man that died, he was at Mingi Hotel in Rumumasi. Due to that contact, we have had other seven cases.
“People should help us and support the Government for Rivers people to be safe. The Security Council will meet to review the strategies and achievements or setbacks, moving forward.
