TheCable

Nine days after the Rivers state government impounded a Lexus four wheel drive vehicle (pictured) from the residence of Ibim Semenitari, who served as commissioner of information during the administration of Rotimi Amaechi, the government has seized another vehicle from Tony Okocha, also an aide of Amaechi.

Coincidentally, Okocha succeeded Nyesom Wike, governor of the state, as chief of staff in 2012 and both men are from Obi Akpor local government area of the state.

The vehicle taken from Okocha’s residence at Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor is an armoured bullet-proof Range Rover.

Wike, who has accused his predecessor of looting the state treasury, said the seized vehicle is the property of the government.

“As chief of staff, he (Okocha) has no right to use a bulletproof car,” Opunabo Inko-Tariah, special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, said.

But Okocha denied Tariah’s allegation, saying the law empowered him to leave with the vehicle at the end of his service to the government.

He said he was not surprised by Wike’s action, describing the governor as an ingrate.

Okocha accused Wike of not handing over 13 vehicles in his possession when he was leaving Rivers state government.

“I have just been informed of the forceful confiscation of my status car in the usual brigandage and ‘Rambo’ approach, which typifies the new caretaker administration in Rivers state,” he said.

“As chief of staff, Wike performed as transport officer. By the records available at the transport office, Wike was in possession of 13 vehicles of different brands and handed none over to me as his successor, not even the permanent secretary of the government house, Port Harcourt.

“Even the official residence of the chief of staff, where Wike stayed was never handed over, until one year and four months, when he reluctantly vacated, leaving the premises completely bare.

“I am not, however, surprised at the uncouth action, knowing Wike’s nuances like the back of my hand, but warn that this seeming introduction of militarism into our democratic experience and the attendant ignominies may well become our bane if not checked.

“It was the courtesy of Rt. Hon. Amaechi that Wike became the minister of the Federal Republic, an exposure that he (Wike) seized to effectively malign his benefactor because of vaulting ambition.”