-YOMMY AYILARA.
Rivers State Governor orders for Demolition of Two Hotels In Rivers.
Governor Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State has demolished two hotels in the state. Wike made sure to supervises the demolition of a hotel in Rivers State today the 10th of May, 2020.
This demolition was backed up with the claim that the hotels violated the lockdown order in the state.
The affected hotels are Prodest Hotel in Alode and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne and both hotels are located in Eleme Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
This demolition occurred three days after Governor Wike authorized officials of the Local Government Task Force to identify hotels operating during the lockdown for demolition.
Wike, who established the task force on Thursday, the 7th of May, 2020 at the Government House in Port Harcourt, had also asked the officials to identify infringing beer parlours.
He notified that those who fail to conform with the governmentโs directives on gauges put in place to thwart the spread of coronavirus in Rivers would face the consequences.
The Governor’s action has however been criticised by people and group across board, one of such includes, the national President of Revolutionary Lawyers’ Forum, Tope Akinyode.
Tope Akinyode in a statement described the action of Governor Wikeย as unconstitutional, despotic and a gross abuse of power.
He said;
โGovernor Nyesom Wike is not permitted by any law to arrogate the powers of the court to himself.
โFurthermore, the governor is not empowered to amend the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.
The Rivers State Government under the supervision of Governor Wike acted pursuant to an Executive Order to destroy the properties today.
โHowever, it admits of no controversy that the power to determine the guilt of an offence and to issue penalty accordingly lies only within the courts. This is the whole essence of Chapter 7 of the Nigerian constitution which provides for the judicature.