The Rivers
State governor, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday banned protests by “some unauthorised
group” calling for the release of the director of a pirate radio station, Radio
Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a state
broadcast, Mr. Wike banned all forms of street protests, demonstrations,
rallies or unlawful gatherings associated with the agitations for the secession
of any group from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“For the
second time within a month individuals and groups purporting to represent the
indigenous people of Biafra have held unauthorized protests on the streets in
Port Harcourt.
“Majority of
these individuals have come from neighbouring states and in the course of these
protests, disrupted social and economic activities, damaged properties,
assaulted and inflicted injuries on other citizens going about their lawful
endeavours.
“While
individuals and groups are free to exercise their freedom of expression, they
must do so peacefully and strictly within the bounds of the Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“No individual
or group has the right, whatsoever, to disturb public peace and order, threaten
the safety of the public and create fear and an atmosphere of insecurity in the
state or any part thereof.
“The right of
any group of persons to agitate for their perceived rights cannot be allowed to
infringe on the rights of other Nigerians, especially the people of Rivers
State to remain an integral component of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our government
was elected on a mandate, and has sworn to an oath, to defend the sovereignty
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, the Rivers State Government will
not fold its arms and allow members of the indigenous people of Biafra or any
other group to turn the State or any part thereof into a hotbed of unlawful
protests against the unity and peaceful co-existence of the various peoples and
ethnic groups within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Consequently,
after due consultations with the members of the State Security Council, and in
exercise of my constitutional responsibility to preserve the safety, security
and corporate integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is hereby
ordered that all forms of street protests, demonstrations, rallies or unlawful
gatherings associated with the agitations for the secession of any group from
the Federal Republic of Nigeria are banned in Rivers State.
“Any person or
group who violates this ban or acts in any manner prejudicial to the interest
of peace and security would be arrested and prosecuted.
“While we
commend the security agencies for their maturity in handling the situation
foisted on us, I call on the people and residents of Rivers State to be more
vigilant and report any further activities that threaten public peace, order,
safety and security to any of the law enforcement agencies for immediate
action.
“Finally, let
no one be in doubt of the resolve of the Rivers State Government and the
security agencies to maintain law and order at all cost within the State and
preserve the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Thank you.
God bless Rivers State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the governor said
in the broadcast.
No comments:
Post a Comment