Play Significant Role In Politics, Wike Tells Church …Revokes Novotel’s Certificate Of Occupancy

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom  Wike, has called on the Church in the state to play  a significant  role in who occupies elective offices in the state.
Governor Wike also announced the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of Novotel Hotel for being the centre of electoral fraud and malpractice.
The governor declared that the Church  can no longer stand  aloof because  the rapid development of Rivers State, supersedes all other considerations.
Speaking during the second session  of the third synod  of Anglican Diocese of Evo yesterday, Governor Wike pointed out that it is the position of the Church to decide who leads Rivers State.
He said: “In Anambra and Imo States, the Catholic Church  plays key role  on who leads those states. In Rivers State, the Church should rise up and take a position.
”If someone comes up tomorrow and has no relationship with the Church, the Church will suffer. Rivers State is a Christian State, the Church must play a role.”
Speaking on the  use of a popular hotel in Port Harcourt, Novotel for the rigging of elections, the Governor directed the Special Adviser on Land to with immediate effect, perfect the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of the hotel.
He regretted that Novotel has turned itself to the state’s worst  centre of electoral fraud, which causes insecurity and instability.  He regretted  that last Saturday the facility  was used to manipulate the non elective APC local government congress. Governor Wike pointed out that on  December 10, 2016, the same Novotel was used to rig elections.
”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.”.
On the dirty politics being played by the Rivers APC, Governor  Wike condemned the  negative statement credited  to APC leaders because the Chief Justice of Nigeria laid the  foundation for the construction of Judges Quarters in the state.
He also berated  the APC leadership  for deliberately  frustrating  the commissioning of the Rumuokoro Market and Park, which is the best in the country.
Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev. Innocent Ordu appealed to Rivers people  to support and pray for the Wike administration  because it is working for the development of the country.
In his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Rt. Rev. David Bello said that Governor Wike stands as a worthy  ambassador of the Church, delivering projects  without excuses.
He said while other governors  continue to give excuses for non performance, Governor Wike has repeatedly  deployed  resources  to  develop his people.
He said, “everyday  in the news, Governor Wike is seen working for the people of Rivers State. He is  doing  projects, despite the economic downturn. I wonder where he is getting money while his colleagues are giving  excuses.
“I want to charge the Governor to remain focused and not be distracted by unfounded criticisms. The Governor should not  respond  to every unfounded criticism because detractors  disturb  only those  who are working”