Wike Bans Public Protest In Rivers State

The Rivers State Government led by Governor Nyesom Wike has banned public protest in the oil-rich state.

Naija News reports that the protest was contained in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Emma Okah.

The statement which was issued on Thursday said the ban was “with immediate effect.”

“All security agencies are directed to enforce the ban in the interest of public peace, safety and order in the state.

“The public is requested to comply with this interim measure as defaulters will have themselves to blame,” the statement said.

The commissioner noted that public protest was becoming rampant in the state and that they were election-related.

“The thing is becoming rampant now, they take over the streets, by different groups, some for and some against. And when they do this, they disrupt economic activities,” Okah told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday morning.

Naija News reports that the general elections in Rivers state have been marred by violence and killings and in response, Governor Wike, on Thursday, inaugurated a judicial commission of inquiry into election-related violence and killings in the state.

The governor also inaugurated a similar commission on the violent attack on the state judiciary and destruction of property at the judiciary complex, Port Harcourt, on May 11, 2018.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), which is the main opposition party in Rivers, said it would soon issue a statement on the ban on public protests in the state.