Executive Order 22: Rivers Govt Threatens To Seal Accord Party Office, Gives Seven Days Ultimatum

The Rivers State Government has threatened to seal the Accord Party secretariat in Port Harcourt, the state capital, for violating Executive Order 22, which the state governor, Nyesom Wike, recently implemented.

The Rivers government accused the Accord Party (AP) of converting a property at No 5 Ndoni Street in Port Harcourt’s GRA area from residential to semi-public use.

According to the government, the party’s action violates Article 43 of the River State Official Gazette No. 1 Volume 48 of January 25, 2012, and Executive Order 22 of 2022.

The state stated in a notice signed by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Austin Ben-Chioma, that converting the property to a secretariat without a permit from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development was inappropriate.

Recalled that the state government recently enacted Executive Order Number 22 restricting political parties’ use of residential buildings in the state as party offices.

Before such a move is permitted, the order states that a permit from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development must be obtained.

It is understood that Ben-Chioma discussed the matter with the state party chairman and ordered that the property be returned to its original use as a residence or risk being sealed off.

According to the government, the building’s unilateral change of use is a nuisance to residents and other users in the area.

The ministry gave the party seven days to return to the property’s original use or risk being shut down.

Confirming the notice, a member of the Rivers State party campaign council’s Media Sub-Committee stated that the party has received the message and will respond in due course.