ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Odii, on Sunday, described Governor David Umahi’s decision to impose a fee of N5million for the use of schools, markets and other public places for political rallies, in the state, as unconstitutional.
Governor Umahi, had last week signed an executive order banning the use of primary school premises, market places and parks for campaigns by political parties, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Umahi insisted that political parties who want to use the school, market and park facilities must apply and should pay a refundable sum of N5 million to the ministry of education in the state.
But Odii maintained that the move by Governor Umahi, would be resisted.
The 2023 governorship hopeful expressed concerns over the decision.
He insisted that the imposition negated the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which allows for use of public facilities for the purposes of campaigns.
He stated this at Nkalagu, the country home of the Senator Representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone, Sen. Obinna Ogba, during latter’s Thanksgiving Service at Christ the King Catholic Church Nkalagu, on Sunday, Punch reports.
Similarly, a coalition of civil rights and political groups in Ebonyi State, on Sunday faulted Governor David Umahi’s Executive Order Number 3 of 2022 banning campaigns, demanding immediate abrogation.
The coalition made of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria; Democratic Rights Ambassadors; Ebonyi First Vanguard and Coalition of United Political Parties, however, threatened to challenge the legality of the order court if it was not set aside after 24 hours.
Addressing a press conference in Enugu, the coalition, described the order as obnoxious, anti- democracy and in contravention of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
It further described the restrictions placed by the Governor through the said Executive Order Number 3 on public gatherings and the use of public spaces for campaigns, as authoritarian.