Mixed Reactions As Gov. Wike Demolishes Two Hotels For Violation Of Coronavirus Lockdown Order In Port-Harcourt
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has carried out his threat of demolishing Prodest Hotel at Alode in Eleme Local Government Area of the state for violating the lockdown order put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The Governor had in a recent statement released by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim disclosed plans to demolish the Prodest Hotel and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne for violation.
In carrying out the planned demolition as earlier promised, a demolition truck arrived at the location of Prodest Hotel at about 11:30 am accompanied by Governor Wike and other officials of the Rivers State task force, and the building was eventually brought down.
A resident of the state, who witnessed the demolition exercise on Sunday, told SaharaReporters that the incident has sent panic across the city.
He said;
He was at Eleme to demolish Prodest Hotel for violating the lockdown order. Bars and laundry services are also affected. There is panic everywhere.
Governor Wike had declared a total lockdown on the two major cities in the state, Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas in his effort to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state.
Interstate borders, markets, pubs, restaurants and hotels were also closed by the Governor.
This comes days after photos and videos of Governor Wike ensuring the adherence of the lockdown rules in the state went viral on the internet.
In a video, he was seen either ordering for the quarantine for residents of the state seen violating the order or public punishment.
Twitter is quiet oooooo. I said make you watch General Wike’s video small. Wike is not a ghost Gov pls pic.twitter.com/lzOGpzCzEe
— Woye (@woye1) May 10, 2020
Gov. Wike no dey joke with this lockdown. I can’t stop laughing😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/XUqEu08Kq4
— Omoniyi Israel (@__Omoissy) May 8, 2020
Wike had compassion on a pregnant woman that violated his lockdown order pic.twitter.com/f8O5SeAr9r
— PH Point 1 (@ajuicygeorge) May 7, 2020
Many Nigerians have however reacted to the demolition, with some describing it as a necessary measure to instill discipline in people. Others feel his actions were ‘out of order, over the top and unnecessary’.
See mixed reactions below:
Bruh Wike destroyed hotels for opening… Omo that’s real ganster😂
— Dʀɪᴢᴢʏ (@drizzyposhh_) May 10, 2020
The way wike shouts “take him to isolation center” in these videos ehn
I’m starting to doubt if it’s really an isolation centre or where they’d flog ur head till u reset. 🤣🤣🤣
— KING FELA 🐺 (@badniggafela) May 10, 2020
Wike was showing necessary action and ensuring security agencies do their job well. He was conmended for that by many & rightly so. But going on to demolish an hotel is definitely way out of order. That sort of action is really condemnable. A fine should have been appropriate.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) May 10, 2020
I hope the energy Governor Wike is using to enforce the lock down, he is also using it to increase testing and isolation centre capacity in Rivers state.
Fighting this virus is not about being performative but being readily effective.— Leo Dasilva (@SirLeoBDasilva) May 10, 2020
Democracy in action in Rivers as Supreme Emperor Nyesom Wike arbitrarily ‘demolishes building’ because of coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/abKtkmMVaw
— Ediong (@Ediong) May 10, 2020
Wike accompanied with armed security personnel supervised the demolition of Prodest Hotel. Other hotels to be demolished are Alode, Eleme and Edemeteh Hotel, Onne. Wike , Wike . Go on jare . Our leaders can not compose any numbered tweet against you jare .
— Woye (@woye1) May 10, 2020
Wike is one governor truly enforcing this lockdown rule and I really appreciate his efforts so far
I just heard he demolished Prodest hotel in Eleme for operating😲
I dont know how to feel about this though but I think sealing the hotel would have been a much better approach
— Peace Of Mind (@wealthy_yute) May 10, 2020
I repeat, Wike is not your Governor’s Mate.
Wike has more balls than Buhari. pic.twitter.com/1Wso7tCCuv— mr_robmichael pitied you and (@mr_robmichael) May 10, 2020
The decision to demolish hotels in Rivers state over violation of the COVID-19 lockdown order is extreme and illegal. Gov Wike, this isn’t leadership. 👎 pic.twitter.com/Cl8Y93zejK
— Theresa Tekenah (@TheresaTekenah) May 10, 2020
If you really think Wike is doing all these because he deeply cares for the people of Rivers State, you are joking. All I see a man who is power drunk.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) May 10, 2020
You don’t cut off the throat of your child cos he disobeyed you. This is wickedness. Wike should have imposed a fine after sealing off the hotel! pic.twitter.com/AiI2kn84vO
— iyke d iyke (@iyke_nwabuko) May 10, 2020
Prodest Hotel, Eleme demolished by Wike for disobeying Lock Down rules.
Is this not too extreme? What happened to arresting and Fining the workers?
Even Millitary Government wasn’t this harsh. pic.twitter.com/NyFTYtC6YI— DR.PENKING™ (@drpenking) May 10, 2020
Wike is on the streets, enforcing a state-wide lock-down. He goes out at night, ensuring security operatives do their job. This is the type of action I want to see from leaders in this very dangerous period. To ensure that the job gets done and lives are saved.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) May 8, 2020
See photos from demolished site below;
