Chairman of Emohua local government area of Rivers State, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, has declared that no political party, group or individual is exempted from complying with the Rivers State Executive Order 21 recently signed by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
He stated that the Executive Order 21, mandating political parties, groups and individuals willing to use public schools or any other government facility for political gathering to secure an approval from the State Ministry of Education two weeks before the date of the event, with the payment of a non-refundable N5 million caution fee, was binding on all political parties and their affiliated groups, including the ruling party in the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Lloyd spoke on Wednesday at the Emohua, headquarters of Emohua local government area, during an interactive meeting with traditional rulers, Community Development Committees (CDCs) and stakeholders in the area.
He maintained that the order was intended to protect government facilities built with the commonwealth of the people from destruction during electioneering campaigns and not to stifle the opposition political parties in the state.
The council chairman enjoined community leaders and political stakeholders in the area to sensitise the people in their respective communities on the good intentions of the government, as well as the consequences of violating the order.
Lloyd stated that aside other sanctions and legal implications, traditional rulers may lose their recognition in the event that they fail or refuse to enforce the order in their communities.
He explained that no section of the order prohibits the use of community playgrounds, event centers and private properties for political rallies, but enjoined community leaders and stakeholders to avoid situation where political parties schedule their rallies on same date and at the same venue.
The LG boss said the clarification became necessary following the resumption of electioneering campaigns ahead the 2023 general election and the misconceptions around the Executive Order 21 by some members of the public.
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