Fubara’s Govt Imposes N555B, Seals Off Wike’s Top Ally’s Property As Crisis Worsens

The Rivers State government has sealed off a five-storey building belonging to Samuel Nwanosike, the immediate-past Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, over alleged violations of the approved building plan.

Nwanosike, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, initially submitted a plan for a four-storey building. However, the structure was extended to five storeys without a revised plan.

The building, located in the GRA area of Port Harcourt and intended to be a hotel, was nearing completion when it was sealed on Wednesday by officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

Isaac Umejuru, the Commissioner for Urban and Physical Development, stated that the construction violated the approved plan. The ministry sealed the site to conduct integrity tests and decide on further actions.

A video published by Naija News captured a heated argument between Nwanosike and ministry officials at the site. Nwanosike claimed, “Nobody can intimidate me,” while an official clarified that the action was due to the violation, not intimidation.

Nwanosike also said, “This property I will give to you and Fubara; N555bn contravention, that is what you said I should pay? We will wait; we will not be afraid. But this will not change Dr. Samuel Nwanosike. I have written to you formally, but you have not responded. Let everybody hear it.”

An official replied, “Nobody is intimidating you. You said you wrote to us, and we have responded. You contravened the approval you were given. Are you threatening me because I’m doing my official work? It is known, and let it be known that this building was sealed…”