Connect with us
Advertisement

Politics

APC Supports N5m Fine By Umahi, Says Its Fair, He Is Leading By Example

Published

on

Some Nigerian Roads No Longer Have Potholes But Boreholes - Umahi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the N5 million fine by the Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi over the contravention of the provisions of the state’s Executive Order 3 of 2022.

Naija News reports that the APC has described the governor’s move as leading by example and said the N5 million fine for indiscriminate littering of posters in the state was fair.

According to the party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, Umahi’s action was fair enough because the APC believed that the ultimate aim of the executive order was to restore sanity and ensure that public spaces are free from nuisance.

Naija News reported on Sunday Umahi imposed a fine of N5 million on the APC, his party for going against the state’s Executive Order 3 of 2022.

It was learnt that Executive Order 3 prohibits political parties from using public places such as schools, parks, and markets among others for political activities without obtaining due clearance from the state government.

The order also prohibits political parties from using critical infrastructures for pasting posters without obtaining the state government’s clearance.

In a statement on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Uchenna Orji, said the ruling party was sanctioned and should pay the N5 million fine into the state’s Internally Generated Revenue account.

The statement said “When APC flagged off its presidential and governorship campaigns in the state, it littered the infrastructures with posters, and that made other political parties follow suit.

“Most of the critical infrastructure has been littered with posters against the laws of the state government and the Executive Order regarding the pasting of posters and billboards.”

However reacting to this action of the governor, the APC director of publicity submitted that the governor’s decision to punish his own party was enough proof of the extent he is determined to go if such violation continues.

Naija News understands that Ibrahim told Punch that “It is okay. I think Umahi’s action is fair enough. It represents that popular idiom of ‘charity beginning at home.’ Depending on how you look at it, what is this executive order meant to achieve? You have to look at the intended value of that Executive Order 3. Is it for the better or the larger interest of the public? Then so be it.

“But if the opposition thinks it is to disrupt the campaign or deprive some political opponents, they equally have the right to go to court and challenge it.

“I think what the governor did was to reduce the nuisance of turning public places with billboards into a littering space.

“I think he is only trying to show example by being so benevolent in forgiving and exempting other parties from payment of penalties. That is okay with me.

“It should, however, be seen in the light of a warning, knowing there is a stiffer penalty of N50m awaiting them if such an act repeats itself in the state.

“Everything should be done in the interest of fairness.”