Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has welcomed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision banning political rallies in worship centres, primary and secondary schools and sees it as a vindication of the spirit behind Ebonyi State Executive Order 3 of 2022.
INEC in its recently released guidelines for 2023 electioneering campaigns for political parties, among other prescriptions, set boundaries on where political party rallies should be held, school premises being one of the prominent public places prohibited by the guideline.
Reacting, Governor Umahi in a statement issued by his special Assistant Chooks Oko in Abakaliki described the development as a patriotic decision by the commission for the safety of our most cherished school children and the protection of public property from unwarranted invasion and possible destruction.
He emphasized that the guideline has further reinforced the Executive Order 3 given by the Governor which had earlier set such limits in Ebonyi State.
“With this, we have been vindicated from unguided criticisms emanating from uninformed quarters over the Executive Order. “It has brought to the fore, our proactive character in preserving lives and the common heritage of the people, as a passionate leader.”
The Governor, with the INEC guidelines, and in line with gazzetted Executive Orders operative in the State, called on all political parties in the State to continue to obey the legal prescriptions towards a peaceful election in 2023. He reiterated his commitment to offering all political parties equal free space for the conduct of their lawful campaigns.
“Ebonyi people are law abiding people, and we wouldn’t want our State to be portrayed in bad light. “I therefore urge all political parties operating in the State to strictly adhere to the INEC guidelines, bearing in mind also, the penalties for such violation as contained in the State’s Executive Order 3. “On our part as government, we assure of our continued respect for freedom of all political parties to conduct their activities in the State within the ambit of the law.”
