Amidst the controversy raging over the constitutionality of the Executive Order 21 emplaced by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Barasua has advised political parties to avoid unauthorized access or use of public facilities for their campaign rallies and other political activities.

Dame Barasua gave this advice when she responded to distress calls over a pandemonium that ensued at the Bonny Ultra-Modern Market along King Asimini Bypass in Bonny on Saturday, December 24, 2022 when members of the Accord Party led by their gubernatorial candidate visited the market for political campaigns.

Kristina Reports learnt that the Accord Party and its gubernatorial candidate, Dumo Lulu Briggs did not obtain the relevant approval or authorization from either the Rivers State Government or Bonny Local Government Council before visiting the market to campaign to the traders.

Eyewitness accounts have it that when the security team of the market tried to stop the Accord Party members, drawing their attention to the Executive Order 21, they (Accord Party members) turned violent, chanting war songs.

Upon arriving at the market, the Bonny LGA Chairman educated Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs and his supporters on the illegality of their conduct, explaining that the implementation of the order was not an infringement of their right to freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria but for the protection of public facilities from abuse and vandalization.

Kristina Reports learnt that refusing to be provoked as she was being verbally attacked by the rowdy Accord Party supporters, the Bonny LGA boss ordered the stoppage of their rally until the proper thing was done, adding that although it was their right to campaign, doing so in disregard to the law will not be condoned in Bonny LGA.

“I am saying it categorically here that I am not opposed to a political party having their campaigns anywhere but all government facilities are out of reach; you cannot use government facilities especially the market or public schools. It’s an executive order and that is it.”

“I will not tolerate it and I am saying it that I am not against any other political party. What I am against is any political party using any government facility for campaigns or rally. No government facility should be used for any campaign or political rally.”

“Let this message go out to all political leaders; if they want to hold campaigns or their rallies they should do it elsewhere. Nobody is stopping them but they should avoid government facilities.”

Controversy has continued to trail the Executive Order 21 which prohibits the use of public facilities in Rivers State without approval from the relevant government institutions. While some say it is a breach of the fundamental rights of citizens and political parties to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, others hold that it is for the protection and safeguard of public facilities.

In a telephone chat with Kristina Reports, spokesman of the Bonny LGA Chairman, Boma Waribor stated that “all my boss, the Chairman is saying is that everyone should follow government protocols; this is not a banana republic. This is a well constituted environment where the rule of law prevails”.

“Take note that prior to this time when public facilities are used, nobody takes the blame for vandalization or messing up of the place and many a time people steal critical equipment and other stuff from the facilities. It is on this premise that the Governor, His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike thought it wise that to protect these facilities and leave a legacy of responsibility, the Executive Order should come into force.”

“Mind you, this does not infringe on the rights of anybody going anywhere to express his or her political opinion, it is only aimed at protecting public facilities and my Chairman is saying disobedience to this order would not happen anywhere within the purview of her jurisdiction as LGA Chairman.”

Efforts to reach Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs to respond to the matter was yet futile as he was yet to respond to messages sent to his mobile line via SMS and WhatsApp were yet to be responded to as at the time of this report.

Meanwhile a visit by Kristina Reports to the market later in the day showed that calm has returned there and the traders were seen attending to their customers and business was going well in different parts of the market.