Ibrahim Bakare /Port Harcourt
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has signed Executive Order RVSG – 22 prohibiting the use of premises, buildings and structures in residential areas in urban and non-urban areas as campaign offices by political parties without approval.
In a press statement signed by Chris Finebone, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, said the Order also prohibits the posting of bills or posters or any other material in unauthorized places.
Speaking while signing the Order last weekend in the Rivers State Executive Council Chamber, Governor Wike condemned the incessant defacement of expensive public properties particularly in Port Harcourt through indiscriminate posting of handbills, banners, posters and all sorts of unauthorized materials.
The Executive Order 22 also prescribes that “any political party or association or body of persons however called or described that wishes to use any premises, building or structure situate in a residential area in any urban area of Rivers State as campaign office must obtain permission from the Rivers State Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning.”
The Executive Order RVSG – 22 came into effect on Friday, 11th day of November, 2022 (copy attached).
It would be recalled that the Wike had signed the Order 21 that banned the use of schools and public spaces for political campaigns without the state government approval. An application must be made two weeks ahead of the political programme. And even when approval is given there must be a non-refundable deposit fee of N5m by the political parties.
Opposition political parties have criticized the earlier Executive Order 21 as a calculated attempt to emasculate them from embarking on political campaigns.