Rivers: Wike Goes After Atiku’s Supporters, Revokes Senator Maeba’s C-of-O
As part of the war he has openly declared against the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has continued his vengeance attack against campaign managers and supporters of the former vice president, who defeated him at the Party primary.
One of the latest victims of Governor Wike’s vengeance mission is Senator Lee Maeba, whose Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) of a plot of land located at the Golf Course axis of GRA, Port Harcourt was revoked by the state government.
Senator Maeba, a staunch supporter of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is the chairman of the party’s presidential campaign Council in Rivers State and served as a senator when Wike was Chairman of his Local Government Council.
Others, who fell out with Governor Wike over his style of politics which is considered toxic, unhealthy, obnoxious, and autocratic leadership, include former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Austin Opara, former governor of the state, whose recognition was withdrawn, Sir Celestine Omehia and a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinyere Igwe, whose filling station was sealed.
The revocation order of Senator Maeba was contained in a letter addressed dated November 2, 2022 which was signed by Ochiagha Onyebuchi, the acting Director, Head of Department, Acquisition, Valuation and Compensation of the Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Survey, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
The letter titled; “Re: Allocation of Plot 20A Golf Course Layout, Old GRA Port Harcourt” stated; “I am directed to inform you that your allocation at Plot 20A Golf Course Layout, old GRA, Port Harcourt, has been cancelled as shown on the attached Rivers State Official Gazette No. 22 Vol. 58, dated September 20, 2022.
“Please, accept the warm regards of the Permanent Secretary.”
In his reaction, Senator Maeba in a terse WhatsApp chat said the land was allocated to him with a Certificate of Occupancy duly signed by Governor Wike himself.
In the words of Maeba: “How can a governor grant a Certificate of Occupancy and withdraw it six months later?”
He further said that the said C of O with number 2022/0009/A803005 and file number; RSL/64872 was titled; “The Government of Rivers State of Nigeria — The Land Use Act Caps vol. 8 len, 2004”, carried his embossed colour portrait photo.
