Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, says it has jettisoned plans to embark on a protest march and would rather seek redress in the Court over what the party alleges to be an infringement on the rights of citizens with the enactment of the Executive Orders 21 and 22.
This decision of the party was contained in a press statement sighted by Africa Update. The statement signed by Spokesman of the Rivers APC campaign council, Sogbeye Eli, however stated that a suit has being filed at a Federal High Court in the State, against the Rivers State Governor, The Commissioner of Police, INEC, Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, and the Attorney General of the State amongst several others.
Recall that the Rivers State Government had issued a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications Chris Finebone, alleging that the APC was intending to cause chaos in the state under the guise of protesting against the Executive Orders. The State Government had warned of taking actions against anyone who ignored the warning.
Copies of both press statements are published below: RIVERS APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL SUSPENDS PROTEST MARCH
The Rivers APC 2023 Campaign Council has suspended the protest march against Executive Orders 21 and 22 issued by the Governor of Rivers State.
Scheduled to hold in conjunction with other political parties and civil society organizations tomorrow, November 24, 2022, the Campaign Council had pursuant to the above written to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command to request for security protection of the protesting parties.
The Police declined our request in a written communication and advised that we proceed against the Executive Orders in Court instead.
Contrary to the interpretation being given the position of the Police by political mischief makers and opponents of our great party, the right to protest by citizens is a constitutional right and no Nigerian is under obligation to apply for approval of same from the Police or any other authority.
Committed to challenging the unconstitutional actions and tyranny of the Rivers State Government, including the obnoxious Executive Orders by legal means, a legal action has commenced at the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/239/2022 (All Progressives Congress v. Independent National Electoral Commission & Ors). The other defending parties in the Suit are the Police, Governor of Rivers State, Attorney-General of Rivers State, Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command and Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council.
Consequently, tomorrow’s march has been postponed to allow the Judiciary make a determination of the issues.
Sogbeye C. Eli
Spokesman
November 23, 2022.
GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
It has come to the attention of the Rivers State Government that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has perfected plans to orchestrate unrest with the sole aim of causing disruptions to the peace that exists in the State under the guise of protesting over Executive Orders 21 & 22 duly issued by the Rivers State Government recently.
Whereas Government believes that APC, and indeed, anyone or group has a right to approach the court for proper interpretation of all matters that border on the law, it would be wrong for anyone or group to resort to carrying out actions that may endanger or compromise public peace either knowingly or by omission.
Therefore, the Rivers State Government is hereby warning the APC and any other group not to embark on any action that is likely to cause disruption of the peace the people and residents of the State enjoy, more so, at this time that many dignitaries are being received in the State to commission projects undertaken by the government. It is important to remind the APC and all groups that government will respond adequately to anyone or group hell-bent on disturbing the prevalent peace in the State under any guise whatsoever. No one should take the lenient and accommodating disposition of the Wike administration to mean weakness or lack of political will. Far from it!
-Chris Finebone
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications,
Rivers State.
22/11/2022
