Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said that his Government has not revoked the 99 Years Lease Certificate of Occupancy given to owners of Novotel Hotel Portharcourt the Rivers State Capital.
Wike’s Claim is contrary to a statement released by his Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu on the 30th of July where the Governor directed the Special Adviser on Lands, Anugbum Onuoha to with immediate effect perfect the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of the hotel for allegedly being the centre of electoral fraud and malpractice.
The Governor has made the announcement while speaking during the second session of the third synod of the Anglican Diocese of Evo in Port Harcourt.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu has quoted Governor Wike to have said” that Novotel had turned itself to the state’s worst centre of electoral fraud, which according to him caused insecurity and instability, adding that on Saturday the facility was used to manipulate the non-elective APC local government congress”.
“We cannot allow hotels to be used for unwholesome activities. The Special Adviser on Lands has been directed to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of Novotel. Any business that is used to affect the security of Rivers State will face the music.
“Nobody will allow rigging in 2019. In 2019, it is one man, one vote. I appeal to APC to allow internal democracy to take place,” the Governor said.
But Speaking on Channels Television Programme HARD Copy Friday Night,the Governor denied revoking the Certificate of Occupancy of Novotel Hotel,but said he merely announced he will,but his administration has not done it.
“To revoke a C Of O,you will make Public Notice,there are a lot of Security Consultations,but we have not revoked the Certificate because the management of the Hotel has come to Apologies”
