Business establishments owned by political opponents of former Governor Nyesom Wike, which were previously sealed on Wike’s orders during pre-election politics, have now been reopened.
The petrol station owned by former federal lawmaker Chinyere Igwe, which was sealed by the security personnel attached to the Government House due to political disagreements, has resumed operations.
It has been observed that the police vans stationed at the previously sealed petrol station have departed the premises after 10 months.
Wike had accused the former lawmaker of involvement in illegal oil bunkering, a claim vehemently denied by Igwe.
Igwe characterized Wike’s administration’s actions as a mere witch-hunt against him for supporting and aligning with Hon. Austin Opara, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, in favor of Atiku Abubakar.
The former lawmaker, representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2, was an ally of Atiku, who had an ongoing political dispute with Wike.
The petrol station, situated at Adelabu-Ojoto Street, Mile 2 Diobu Axis of Port Harcourt, has been unsealed and is now operating without any hindrance.
Furthermore, the police officers reportedly assigned to the Government House security have also unsealed Priscy’s Lounge in Elekahia, Port Harcourt.
The said lounge is owned by Hon. Jones Ogbonda. Additionally, Preray Hotel in Eagle Island, owned by Ikechi Chinda, the former PDP Chairman in Port Harcourt, has been unsealed.
All three business owners are associated with Austin Opara.
On the midnight of August 18, 2022, Wike ordered the closure of the petrol/gas station and the arrest of its owner.
Austin Opara, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Senator Thompson Sekibo, Senator Lee Maeba, Chief Uche Secondus, Chinyere Igwe, Celestine Omehia, and others were at odds with Wike due to their support for Atiku.
While the Rivers Police Command and the state government have not yet commented on the reopening of these businesses owned by Wike’s political opponents, political observers in Rivers are interpreting this recent development as a reconciliation effort by Fubara to mend past wounds.
