Following calls by some political parties on the electoral umpire to ensure fair play in the 2023 polls in Rivers State, The Guardian gathered that INEC has fixed a meeting of all parties and intensified its messages of tolerance.
The governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Leyii Kwanee, who called INEC to sanction errant politicians, expressed delight, yesterday, over INEC’s condemnation of the state government’s regulation of electioneering by political parties in the state.
Governor Nyesom Wike signed Executive Order 21 prohibiting political parties from organising campaigns at public schools unless they apply and get the government’s approval with the payment of N5 million.
Kwanee said: “We wish to commend INEC for her swift response to the undemocratic actions adopted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Rivers government by the recent approval of Executive Order 21, which prohibits the use of public schools and sundry places without approval from the Ministry of Education.
“This order is capable of creating unhealthy competition and violence in the state and is inimical to the growth of business and employment opportunities in the state. This Executive Order 21 is aimed at monopolising and stiffening the state’s political space.”
He hailed INEC’s warning to state governments not to prevent political parties from campaigning in their domains.
“We, therefore, appeal to INEC to commence the process of sanctioning political parties that have approved this unwholesome restriction of opposition parties from campaigning in their domains,” the ZLP candidate stated.
