Arch. Tonye Cole, an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor in Rivers State, has criticized Executive Order 21, which Governor Nyesom Wike signed into law.
According to reports, Wike issued the order prohibiting political gatherings from taking place in public places throughout the state without prior approval.
Arch. Tonye Cole said that the Order 21 is a part of the governor’s scheme to suppress competition from other political parties in a press release released in Port Harcourt over the weekend by his campaign organization.
Arch. Tonye Cole, claimed that the Executive Order is yet another example of how the governor prefers to crush and repress opposition in a multiparty democracy rather than letting people to use their constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech.
“Governor Wike has repeatedly demonstrated that he has no qualms about misusing his power without respect for the law or the constitution he promised to defend, even as a life bencher. His acts discredit the high office of Rivers State governor and reflect poorly on our nation in the council of nations.
“It is extremely regrettable and disheartening that the despot in Rivers State is refusing to embrace change and attempting to return us to the mud-era where only political pigs can swim, while the rest of the country is under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership opening up the electoral space for the free and fair participation of everyone regardless of political, religious, or tribal inclinations.
We will want to inform Governor Wike that, as governor of Rivers State and in accordance with the oath he took, he must refrain from letting his personal interests, whether political or otherwise, influence his official conduct or decisions, and that, when his immunity is removed in a matter of months, he will be held accountable under the same constitution. May we also remind him that under President Buhari’s administration, political parties will hold their rallies in Rivers State without inciting violence, but should he push them to the limit, he will be reminded of how he forced his way into Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in 2015.
For the record, we want to clarify unequivocally that the governor’s law is not only offensive but also represents the desperate measures taken by a coward who is constantly at odds with democracy in order to repress and silence the state’s opposition parties. Therefore, we are requesting that all men of good will and Rivers people—regardless of where they may be—condemn the despotic outbursts of a despot who has a neurotic fear of losing his position of authority.
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“The All Progressives Congress shall campaign with our candidates across the length and breadth of Rivers State as provided under the Constitution and as prescribed by law, and hereby gives notice to the Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Councils in the State who have been directed by the Governor to enforce his punitive and draconian directive under Executive Order 21.
“We will not be intimidated or accept Executive Order 21’s presentation of a fait accompli to political parties other than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on the basis of which they and the Governor were initially elected. We call everyone’s attention to the fact that the Council Chairmen’s enforcement of that Order in any way would constitute a flagrant violation of our fundamental rights as political parties and a campaign organization. The statement said, “We implore them to rebuff the temptation of exercising power, which can only lead to disorder from the resistance of the parties and candidates targeted by the offensive Executive Order 21.
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