Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Residents and political stakeholders in Rivers State have called on the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to enact legislation that would prohibit governors and local government chairmen from denying political parties access to publicly owned facilities for electioneering campaigns. The demand, which comes amid growing concerns over the politicisation of public assets, follows a controversial directive issued by the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, restricting all forms of public gatherings within the council area without prior approval. The directive has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which described the action as an attempt to intimidate opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a report published by The Guardian on Sunday, August 2, 2026, stakeholders argued that public facilities are funded with taxpayers' money and should remain accessible to all political parties on equal terms during election campaigns, rather than being used as instruments to stifle opposition. The ADC's Rivers State Publicity Secretary, Chizy Enyi, acknowledged the security challenges confronting parts of Ikwerre Local Government Area but insisted that insecurity should not be used as a justification for undermining constitutional rights. “While insecurity must be confronted decisively, it must never become a pretext for eroding constitutional democracy or suppressing the legitimate rights of law-abiding citizens,” Enyi said. The ADC's position reflects a broader concern among opposition parties that ruling parties at the state and local government levels are increasingly using their control over public facilities to disadvantage political rivals.
A lecturer in the Department of Marketing at the University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Lawrence Bekwele, offered a practical solution, suggesting that political parties should be allowed to use public facilities for campaigns, provided they sign undertakings to repair any damage that may occur during their events. According to him, security agencies can also be deployed to safeguard the facilities and ensure the peaceful conduct of political activities. Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Prince Wiro, maintained that no governor has exclusive ownership of public assets. “Public facilities belong to the people, not to any governor. They were built with public funds and should be available to all political parties on equal terms,” he said. Wiro urged state Houses of Assembly, as well as the National Assembly, to enact laws preventing state governments from imposing exorbitant fees or arbitrary conditions on the use of public facilities for political campaigns.
The stakeholders argued that demanding huge sums from opposition parties before granting access to public venues amounts to indirect suppression of political participation and violates the constitutional rights to freedom of association and political participation. “The law should simply require political parties to sign undertakings to repair any damage caused during campaigns, rather than imposing prohibitive charges that discourage opposition activities,” Wiro said. He also called on security agencies to provide adequate protection during political campaigns to prevent violence and ensure that all parties can canvass for votes without intimidation.
The call for legislation comes against the backdrop of a similar controversy in January 2026, when the Rivers State Government denied the Nyesom Wike-led pro-President Bola Tinubu rally organisers access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt. The government cited ongoing reconstruction and safety concerns, but critics alleged that the denial was politically motivated. Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had threatened to forcibly access the stadium if denied, arguing that public facilities belong to the people of Rivers State. The incident underscored the growing tension over access to public facilities and the potential for such disputes to escalate into political crises.
On the quality of campaigns expected ahead of the 2027 elections, Dr. Bekwele advised political parties to focus on issues affecting Nigerians rather than engaging in inflammatory rhetoric. He identified insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and the declining economy as the critical issues requiring practical solutions from political actors. “More than 33 million Nigerians face food insecurity. Political parties should tell Nigerians how they intend to improve food security, strengthen the economy and guarantee the protection of lives and property,” he said. Bekwele added that while hate speech may not be completely eliminated from political campaigns, candidates should prioritise issue-based engagements capable of addressing the country's socio-economic challenges.
The stakeholders' demand for legislation reflects a growing recognition that access to public facilities is a fundamental component of democratic participation. Without a legal framework to guarantee equal access, political parties, particularly opposition parties, risk being systematically excluded from the electoral process. The proposed legislation, if enacted, would provide a clear set of rules governing the use of public facilities for political campaigns, reducing the potential for arbitrary decisions and ensuring that all parties can compete on a level playing field. As the 2027 elections approach, the call for such a law is likely to gain momentum, with civil society organisations and opposition parties increasingly vocal about the need to protect democratic space and ensure that public assets serve the public interest rather than the interests of those in power.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments