•Okada riding outlawed from 7pm to 6am
Ebonyi State Government has banned political rallies in primary and secondary schools from November 1 (today).
Governor David Umahi announced the decision at the citizens’ input and consultation for the 2023 budget estimation and Nigeria’s 2023 pollution and housing census.
He said the rallies, including those of the All Progressives Congress (APC), must get approval from the Commissioner for Education before they would hold.
Umahi said the ban followed the defacing and destruction of facilities at the schools with faeces and other dirty materials during such rallies.
He also banned the movement of motorcycles popularly called Okada from 7pm to 6am.
The governor said the decision was taken to secure lives and property, as criminals used motorcycles to perpetrate nefarious activities.
Said he: “The Attorney-General will come up with an executive order banning motorcycles in every part of the state from 7pm to 6am. If you want to use it, use it before 7pm. We have to do everything to secure your lives.
“When we take a hard decision, it is because we have to take it. The primary responsibility of government is to secure lives and property. So you must make sacrifice to do it.”
Umahi said those calling for ban on Ebubeagu were wasting their time, adding that the outfit had come to stay.
He said the group was filling the gap caused by inadequate manpower in the security agencies.