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.
