Rivers: Rage Over Sealed Atiku Campaign Office By  Wike; They Did Not Present Title Documents – Government

By Akinwale Kasali

Rage has continued to trail the sealing of Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Office by the Rivers State Government.

Citing Order 22 signed by Governor  Nyesom Wike which prohibits the location of Political Offices at Residential areas without permission, the Government sealed the office located at

No. 32, Onne Road, new GRA in Port Harcourt.

Leloonu Nwibubassa,  spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council in the State put the sealing at the feet of Governor Wike. He said it is the administration’s way to stifle perceived political opponents, and noted that the irony is that both Atiku and Wike belong to the same Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He added that it is unfortunate that Wike could descend to this low level which brazenly shows how he has misused his powers as Governor of the state.

He said: “It is very unfortunate, and I think that all Civil Society Groups, the International Community, all lovers of democracy all over the world must understand that Governor Wike has misused his powers not just to suppress and oppress, but to intimidate the people of Rivers State from expressing their free will to support any candidate of their choice or to be a member of any party of their choice, as expressly guaranteed in the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have condemned it as an act of lawlessness by the Governor.”

Nwibubassa added that  “it is sad that Wike by his actions does not appreciate what he benefited from  democracy and PDP,  having been a two time Chairman of a Local Government, and also became a Chief of Staff. He was Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and completing his second tenure as Governor.

“By closing down the political space in Rivers State, by intimidating and suppressing voices that are in opposition to his own bidding, Governor Wike is exalting himself to become the leader of all anti-democratic forces in Nigeria militating against the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of association, freedom of lawful and peaceful assembly.

“Everything about that secretariat and campaign office, every requirement has been made.

“So the Governor is left with no excuse. The action he has taken is completely outside the law. It is vindictive. It is against the right of the people.

“So, for us, it is unfortunate and we think that all well- meaning lovers of democracy should speak out against Governor Wike’s intent on his actions so far.

“Is it simply that Governor Wike lost the primary election to clinch the ticket of the PDP or there are other motives behind Governor Wike to try to truncate the democracy of Nigeria, using Rivers State as his experimental space?

“We are also aware that there are other Governors trying to do similar thing.

So if people like Governor Wike are allowed freely to disregard the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by his actions, by the things he is doing today and if people will copy from his example, before you know, Nigeria will become a theatre of anarchy, and this is exactly what everyone must come and condemn and to avoid.”

However, the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in a letter addressed to the Director-General of the PCC, gave an insight to the development and why the Secretariat was sealed.

The letter  was signed by the Director, Physical Planning and Transport, Stella Enyadike, on behalf of the Commissioner was titled, ‘Re-application for change in use.’

The letter dated December 19, 2022 reads: “We write in reference to your application for change in use/purpose dated November 28, 2022, for your campaign office at No. 32 Onne Road G.R.A phase 2 Port Harcourt.

“In your response letter to our notice served, no title document was attached. Also, your contact phone number cannot be reached.

“We have sent text messages to this effect to you on the subject matter for you to furnish this office with your title documents.

“However, we are aware that the area, G.R.A 1and 2, is designated for residential purpose.

“Therefore, the use of the property as a campaign office (semi-public) is contrary to the designated use.

“In the light of the above, your application for change in use/purpose cannot be approved.

“Please accept the assurance of the Hon. Commissioner.”