COVID19: Wike Threatens To Depose Traditional Rulers,Suspends LG Chairman Over Flouting Stay At Home Order

The Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has suspended the chairman and deputy of , Obi/Akpor local government as a result of the flagrant violation of markets closure in the locality.

Wike who disclosed this during a live broadcast on the covid19 pandemic update on Monday, also imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in strategic areas of the state from Tuesday March 31st 2020.

He also expressed worries over the non compliance to the seat at home directives by traders adding that the state government has no choice than to make some painful but necessary decisions to further prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

The Governor threatened to depose any traditional leaders who allow market activities to thrive in their respective communities adding that any ruler who allow markets operational activities in his domain will be deposed.

The Governor also pointed out that traditional rulers, youth leaders and community development committees are to ensure that beer parlours and public drinking joints in their area remain closed.

He said “As a result of the flagrant violation of closure of markets in Obi/Akpor local government area, the local government council chairman and his deputy are hereby suspended indefinitely.

Wike also closed down all drinking joints (Beer Parlours) in the state, even as he threatened landlords of such facilities of outright seizure of their houses by the government.

“All beer parlours and public drinking joints are hereby closed because they have suddenly become an extension of night clubs that were earlier shutdown.

“Any beer parlour or drinking joint that are found to be opened will be acquired by the state government. All landlords are advised to warn their tenants who use their property as beer parlour or public drinking joints to adhere to this directive.

While reaffirming government decision to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, he said:” My dear good people of Rivers State, I am constrained to address you again after my last broadcast of Thursday March 26, 2020.

“After some days of monitoring the level of compliance of State government directive for markets in the state to be closed, we are shocked to discover that some markets have continue to violent the seat at home order.

” We have no choice than to make some painful but necessary decisions to further prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

“Therefore, after a meeting with the state security council today, the following decisions were taken:

“With effect from Tuesday, tomorrow, 31 March 2020, there will be a dusk to dawn curfew from Obirikwerre junction, which leads to Ozuoba, Rumualogwu, and Choba, and from Education bus stop, to Agip junction in Ikwerre road respectfully.

“Government is investigating the illegal operation of markets at nights at Woji and Elelenwo communities. Further violation by residents of these two communities will attract declaration of curfew.

“Further flagrant violation of closure of markets will attract a state wide declaration of curfew. We must understand that people need to be alive before they eat food.

“As a responsible government we have also reviewed our earlier directive and have resolve to grant waiver to the following categories of essential services:
• Medical and pharmaceutical personnel.
• Food and beverages.
• Essential oil and gas staff.
• Petroleum products.
• Media workers and
• Newspaper distributors.

He said these categories of staff must identify themselves with valid identity cards.

“Let me reiterate that this government will continue to do what is right no matter who’s involved.

“As you are all aware, no conventional war has grounded global lives and economy like Coronavirus has done. Everybody is affected. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to defeat Coronavirus.

He added that organisations collaborating with Rivers State Government are safe, expressing high hopes that with collective resolve, the state will contain the spread of this virus.