REACTIONS have trailed the moves by lawmakers of Rivers state House of Assembly to make the controversial Extant Orders 21 and 22 of the state Governor Nyesom Wike into law. The lawmakers at plenary yesterday deliberated on a private member bill by the Leader of the House, and member representing Obio/Apkor Constituency 1, Martins Amaewhule, seeking to give legal backing to the two Executive Orders. The bill entitled, “Rivers state Advertisement, Use of state own property prohibition bill, 2022” is also seeking to ban outdoor political Advertisements, on bill boards, posters and banners, in the state without approval and payment of necessary fees.
Recall that the Governor’s Extant Order 21 of August 2022 banned the use of public schools, open field to host political rallies without approval and payment of non refundable fee of N5 million. The latest order banned the use of residential houses and facilities for campaign offices or party secretariats. The governor’s Orders have brewed several dimensions of anger and Reactions, with some political parties having to write open letter to the presidency, local and International bodies for intervention, while some others have gone to change the policy in court.
The bill was vigorously debated on the floor of the House yesterday, with all the lawmakers who contributed speaking in favour of the bill. The sponsor, Amaewhule, said it is meant to consolidate on the beautiful ambiance of the state, recreated by the developmental addiction of the ruling Governor Wike. Also in their separate contributions, the Deputy Speaker, Eddie Ehis, the Deputy Leader, Barine Deeyaah, the member representing Tai constituency, Matthew Dike and member representing Obio/Akpor 2, Micheal China, all agree that the bill when passed would accelerate beauty, restore sanity, cleanness and maintain orderliness to the state.
The prayed for its speedy passage to enable the authorities vested with the responsibility to enforce compliance swing into action, without further delays. They recommended that Certificate of Occupancy© of O) of such properties should be revoked to make it a state property. Reacting to the bill, an activist and elder statement, in the state, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe said the upcoming law is ultra-via to the constitution and the Electoral Act and urged the lawmakers to visit sections 3 and second schedule and on section 25 of the constitution before going ahead with the legislation.