Wike's executive orders are undemocratic, group says
A group, the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, has pledged to challenge in court Executive Orders 21 and 22 recently signed by the state governor de Rivers, Nyesom Wike, calling them undemocratic.
Remember that Order 21 prohibits political parties from using any public school in the state without the approval of the Commissioner of Education.
Ordinance 22, on the other hand, prohibits parties from posting posters in residential areas and from using residential areas as party offices.
But the group said both orders violated all the ingredients of democracy and were an invitation to anarchy.
Society Chancellor Dr Omenazu Jackson, who spoke to our correspondent in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said: "We consider Rivers State Government Order 22 as a complete reception of lawlessness. Ordinances 21 and 22 neglect all the ingredients of a democratic society. It is clearly in conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"And one wonders why the Attorney General hasn't stepped in all this time. I don't know if the feds are scared of the Rivers State government. Or what's going on Any state order that conflicts with the existing law of the nation shall be challenged and struck from the statute book."
"This is what is expected. But here, the Federal Government and the Attorney General's Office have kept a dignified silence while this law undermines the democratic rights of Nigerians, especially the Rivers . »
"This is very unfortunate. It means that such laws are too draconian in a democratic society and must be challenged. The ordinances will be challenged by Nigerians and civil society organizations. We We can't allow this to continue. We can take this law back and take it to the Supreme Court."
Responding, the state government said any aggrieved group was free to sue in court.
Information Commissioner Chris Finebone said: "It's a joy that the opposition have changed their minds, moving from the illegal route to the right thing. Let them challenge it in court if they wish. »
On the allegation that the executive orders were an invitation to anarchy, the commissioner said: "No responsible government anywhere will want to do anything that will engender the anarchy. In fact, the opposite is happening. Presidential decrees should ensure peace and order in society, not the other way around."
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A group, the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, has pledged to challenge in court Executive Orders 21 and 22 recently signed by the state governor de Rivers, Nyesom Wike, calling them undemocratic.
Remember that Order 21 prohibits political parties from using any public school in the state without the approval of the Commissioner of Education.
Ordinance 22, on the other hand, prohibits parties from posting posters in residential areas and from using residential areas as party offices.
But the group said both orders violated all the ingredients of democracy and were an invitation to anarchy.
Society Chancellor Dr Omenazu Jackson, who spoke to our correspondent in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said: "We consider Rivers State Government Order 22 as a complete reception of lawlessness. Ordinances 21 and 22 neglect all the ingredients of a democratic society. It is clearly in conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"And one wonders why the Attorney General hasn't stepped in all this time. I don't know if the feds are scared of the Rivers State government. Or what's going on Any state order that conflicts with the existing law of the nation shall be challenged and struck from the statute book."
"This is what is expected. But here, the Federal Government and the Attorney General's Office have kept a dignified silence while this law undermines the democratic rights of Nigerians, especially the Rivers . »
"This is very unfortunate. It means that such laws are too draconian in a democratic society and must be challenged. The ordinances will be challenged by Nigerians and civil society organizations. We We can't allow this to continue. We can take this law back and take it to the Supreme Court."
Responding, the state government said any aggrieved group was free to sue in court.
Information Commissioner Chris Finebone said: "It's a joy that the opposition have changed their minds, moving from the illegal route to the right thing. Let them challenge it in court if they wish. »
On the allegation that the executive orders were an invitation to anarchy, the commissioner said: "No responsible government anywhere will want to do anything that will engender the anarchy. In fact, the opposite is happening. Presidential decrees should ensure peace and order in society, not the other way around."
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