Executive Order 3: Umahi Says Ebonyi Govt Is Ready For Any Court Case

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has reacted to criticisms and threats to drag the state government to court over the recent executive order number 3 restricting parties from holding rallies in schools, markets, parks and other government facilities for campaign purposes.

Naija News reports that the governor, who denied banning political rallies in the state, said the government is ready to appear in court with five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to challenge any planned suit by Civil Society Organisations (CLOs).

Umahi’s reaction follows threats by some CLOs to take legal action against the order banning political rallies from holding at public facilities.

Naija News had earlier reported that a group identified as a coalition of civil rights and political groups in the state faulted the state government’s executive order banning campaigns in public facilities.

The coalition made of the human rights writers association of Nigeria democratic rights ambassadors, Ebonyi’s first vanguard and a coalition of united political parties has, however, threatened to challenge the legality of the order in court if it was not set aside after 24 hours.

Umahi, who reacted on the floor of the House of the Assembly yesterday during the presentation of the 2023 budget estimate, said the Education commissioner must be informed should any party want to use any school for campaigns or rallies, adding that no boarding school must be used for rallies or campaigns.

He also reiterated that all political parties are bound by the order including the All Progressives Congress (APC), and they must pay for billboard adverts too.

The governor issued an executive order number 3 last week to restrict parties from using schools, markets, parks and other government facilities for campaigns and rallies.

Information and State Orientation Commissioner, Uchenna Orji, said the governor assented to Executive Order No 3 of 2022 prohibiting the use of primary or secondary school premises or fields, markets or motor parks for rallies or processions or gatherings of similar activities.

Parties are expected to pay a refundable fee of an N5million to enable them to use the facilities.