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Wike admits revoking Maeba’s property in Rivers
Rivers State government has admitted revoking the certificate of a land allocated to Sen. Lee Maeba at the Golf Course axis of GRA, Port Harcourt. However, political observers have attributed the suspected attack on Maeba by Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration to his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Recently, Maeba was sacked alongside other governing council members of Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumola, Port Harcourt, after he (Maeba) berated Wike for working against Atiku, urging the governor to stop portraying himself as a tin god.
Explaining why the Certificate of Occupancy was revoked, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Chris Finebone, stated, yesterday, that Maeba, like other notable personalities in Rivers, was allotted the plot under the State Urban Renewal Policy aimed at phasing out dilapidated structures and replacing them with modern buildings. He clarified that the allottee did not originally own the property but benefitted from the policy of Wike’s government.
The statement reads: “One of the terms of that allocation is that all allottees must develop the properties for own use and not to resell the land for profit or transfer the ownership, even when it is yet to be developed, as this will defeat the lofty objective of achieving a properly planned city under the government’s urban renewal policy.”
“Over a period of time, government noticed that from the time the plot was allocated to the senator until when the land title was revoked recently, Maeba abandoned the land, ostensibly to resell it, which runs against the policy of urban renewal of the government. Worse still, the abandoned plot had become home to a mountain of refuse.”
The state government noted that other beneficiaries of the scheme, some of whom are associates of Maeba, such as Austin Opara, were developing their plots apace without any interference or hindrance whatsoever.
It stated that the reason for the revocation was administrative, not political, as being promoted by Maeba and speculated by some persons. Urging law-abiding citizens and residents of Rivers to discountenance cheap propaganda concocted for political reasons to de-market the state government, particularly by politicians, the commissioner said the state remains a bastion of rule of the law and haven for investments. He also criticised former lawmaker and businessman, Ned Nwoko, on his call for Wike to be expelled from the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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