The decision by Ebonyi State Government to impose N5million payment on political parties wishing to use schools and other public arenas of government to hold rallies ahead of next year’s election has attracted condemnations from opposition parties.
Two leading opposition parties in the state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have described the decision as undemocratic and backward.
Governor Dave Umahi last week signed an executive order, which stipulates that parties must write to and get permission from the Education Commissioner before being allowed to use school premises for campaigns.
The order also stipulates that N5million down payment must be made before the approval, to be used to repair damaged items that may occur during the rally.
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Reacting to the order, a chieftain of the PDP, Abia Onyike, in a statement said Governor Umahi was making a mockery of democracy.
Onyike, spokesperson for Anyichuks Grassroots Support Organisation, a support organisation of the PDP governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, said the ruling APC wanted to stop other parties from campaigning, so as to have upper hand during the election.
APGA spokesman Chibuike Nwanchor said the order was against the tenets of democracy.
PDP governorship candidate Ifeanyi Odii described the restriction as undemocratic and unconstitutional.