The Rivers government says retrieving official vehicles from the residence of Ngozi Odu, the suspended deputy governor of the state, is a lawful administrative action, not a political witch hunt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Hector Igbikiowubo, the senior special adviser on media to Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers, said three vehicles — two Toyota Hilux vans and one Hiace bus — were recovered from Odu’s official residence.
Igbikiowubo said the retrieval followed a routine administrative directive aimed at securing government property.
“The Rivers State Government has noted with dismay the deliberate misrepresentation of the lawful retrieval of two Toyota Hilux vehicles and one Hiace bus from the premises of the suspended deputy governor,” the statement reads.
“This routine administrative action, aimed at securing government property, has been twisted by political opportunists seeking to create unnecessary tension.”
Igbikiowubo questioned the motives of those criticising the move and asked why the vehicles remained in the deputy governor’s possession over a month after a state of emergency was declared.
“We question the motives of those politicising this matter: What legitimate purpose did these vehicles serve in the suspended deputy governor’s premises over one month after the declaration of a state of emergency?” he said.
Igbikiowubo said the administration’s asset recovery efforts should not be interpreted as executive overreach.
“The Rivers State Government maintains that the recovery of its assets cannot reasonably be construed as executive overreach,” he said.
“This administration remains committed to prudent management of public resources and will not be distracted by baseless allegations.”
He urged residents and political actors to exercise restraint, noting that the government has shown “remarkable patience in the face of persistent provocation”.
“The public is advised to disregard sensationalised accounts of this incident and focus instead on the government’s ongoing efforts to restore stability and good governance in Rivers State,” he added.
On March 26, Ibas suspended all boards, parastatals, and commissions and sacked political appointees installed by Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended Rivers governor.
A day earlier, the Rivers sole administrator announced the resignation of George Nwaeke as the state’s head of service (HoS).
