By Wisdom Nwedene
On Sunday, May 10th, 2020, the internet was set ablaze following the demolition of a hotel and a bar over the violation of lockdown order to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in Rivers State.
It’s imperative to note that the demolition of the two hotels were supervised by a lawyer who happens to be the Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike. It is also worthy to note that Gov. Wike’s wife is also a Judge.
The affected hotels were Prodest Hotel in Alode and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne both in Eleme Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, according to report.
I wouldn’t have bothered to write about this but I was shocked seeing people praising the Governor over this ugly act which should be condemned.
First, let’s look at the reasons given by the Governor over the demolition of the hotels.
Gov. Wike Reasons For Demolishing The Two Hotels
Following the demolition of the two hotels which has caused mixed reactions, Gov. Wike immediately gave reasons for his actions.
He said the focus on hotels was because one of the coronavirus cases in the state spread the virus from a hotel.
According to him, his action was in line with the Rivers State Government Executive Order 6, which banned the operation of hotels across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
Governor Wike equally told newsmen at the demolition scene that the law must be obeyed, hence the State Government’s decision to enforce it.
It’s good that there is a law which banned the operation of hotels across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State but did the law state that hotels which didn’t obey the COVID-19 law in the State should be destroyed?
Gov. Wike who is a lawyer by profession should have dragged the hostels to the court for them to pay fines for disobeying the law instead of demolishing the two hotels which have many negative impacts especially now that the Coronavirus has caused loss of jobs in Nigeria.
How can the Governor be the accuser, prosecutor, judge and punishment executioner? This means the court is now useless.
In Lagos for instance, those violating the COVID-19 law are taken to court, tried and punishment declared by the Court not by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Why is Rivers State own different?
Can he give jobs to those who have lost their jobs because of his actions?
It’s pertinent to note that this COVID-19 will come and go and Gov. Wike’s tenure will end by 2023 and by then, he will definitely know that he has erred in many ways as then Governor of the State.
It’s crystal clear that a supposed lawyer is now acting like a motor park tout which is bad.
Other Areas Governor Wike Has Set Bad Examples Of What Leadership Entails;
(1) Ordered His Attorney General to Auction Impounded Vehicles That Disobeyed COVID-19 Law While Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Ordered For Immediate Release Of Such Vehicles Free Of charge.
(2) Insulted Traditional Rulers In Rivers On Several Occasions.
(3) He personally went to effect arrest of Carverton helicopter pilots and got a Magistrate court to remand them in prison; gave the company quit notice; insulted the Minister of Aviation.
(Wisdom Nwedene is a writer, journalist, and a motivational speaker. Contact :Nwedenewisdom@gmail.com)
