Wike’s executive orders undemocratic, says group

A group, the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, has vowed to challenge Executive Orders 21 and 22 signed recently by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in court, describing them as undemocratic.

Recall that Order 21 bars political parties from using any public school in the state without approval from the Commissioner of Education.

Order 22, on the other hand, bars parties from pasting posters in residential areas and using residential areas as party offices.

But the group said the two orders violated all ingredients of democracy and were an invitation to anarchy.

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The Chancellor of the Society, Dr Omenazu Jackson, who spoke in an interview with our correspondent in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said, “We look at the Rivers State Government’s Order 22 as a complete receipt of anarchy. Orders 21 and 22 neglect all ingredients of a democratic society. It is in clear conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“And one wonders why the Attorney General has not stepped in all this while. I  don’t know whether the Federal Government is afraid of the Rivers State Government. Or what is going on? Any order of a state that is in conflict with the extant law of the nation has to be challenged and expunged from the status book.”

“That is what is expected. But here, both the Federal Government and office of the Attorney General have kept a dignified silence while this law infringes on the democratic rights of Nigerians, particularly Rivers people.”

“It is very unfortunate. What it means is that such laws are too draconian in a democratic society and must be challenged. The orders will be challenged by Nigerians and civil society organisations. We will challenge them. We cannot allow this to continue. We can pick up this law and drag it to the Supreme Court.”

Reacting, the state government said any aggrieved group was free to approach the court.

The Commissioner for Information, Chris Finebone, said, “It is a thing of joy that the opposition has changed their mind from taking the illegal path to now doing 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 anarchy. In fact, the opposite is the case. The executive orders are to ensure societal peace and order, and not the other way round.”