‘Height of absurdity!’ APC kicks as Wike bans protests in Rivers

The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has kicked against the decision by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to place a ban on public rallies and protests in the state.

In a statement issued on Friday by the state APC spokesperson, Chris Finebone, the party described the move by the state government which announced the ban on Thursday, as “ineffectual.

The APC also labeled the decision by the state government which also said the ban was with “immediate effect” and meant to protect public peace and safety as the “height of absurdity.”

The statement by the APC read thus: “Wike should be reminded that Honourable Retired Justice Adekeye J.S.C. once stated that, ‘A rally or placard-carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues affecting government and the governed. 

“It is a trend recognised and deeply entrenched in the system of governance in civilised countries. We must borrow a leaf from those who have trekked the rugged path of democracy and are now reaping the dividend of their experience.’”

“The party wondered why Wike would, “after wasting the people’s commonwealth on frivolous protests and in less than 24 hours after the last of those protests, pronounce a ban on protests.”

“The reason can only be that those protesting on the opposite side are now providing Rivers people and Nigerians better perspectives on the happenings in Rivers.

“The governor is simply acting like someone with a weak and incoherent argument against the more coherent, sensible and logical argument of the opponent.

“Another reason for the ineffectual ban is to scuttle further exposure of the ills and atrocities of the state government that have punished civil servants,” the statement further asserted.

In a similar vein, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, has also condemned the decision of Wike, to ban public protests in the state.

Onochie, in a series of tweets, wrote: “Protests have been banned in Rivers State by Wike. He has no right to infringe on d rights of Nigerians to stage peaceful protests.

“Protests have been banned in Rivers State.

“Me: Is this not an infringement on the rights of Nigerians who reside in Rivers State to protest?

“This is a taste of what would have happened if @atiku won the election.

#LivingInBondage. I hail Nigerians who reelected Pres. @MBuhari.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now