The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd has declared that no political party, group or individual is exempted from complying with the Rivers State Executive Order 21 recently signed by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. He said Executive Order 21 mandating political parties, groups and individuals willing to use public schools or any other government facility for political gatherings to secure approval from the State Ministry of Education two weeks before the date of the event, with the payment of a non-refundable Five Million Naira caution fee, is binding on all political parties and their affiliated groups, including the ruling party in Rivers State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Dr. Lloyd made the declaration during an interactive meeting with Traditional Rulers, the Council of Chiefs, the Community Development Committee (CDC) and Stakeholders across Emohua LGA, at the council secretariat in Emohua on Tuesday. He maintained that the Order is intended to protect government facilities built with the commonwealth of the people from destruction during electioneering campaigns and not to stifle the opposition political parties in the state, as it has been misrepresented in some quarters. The Emohua council chairman enjoined community leaders and political stakeholders in Emohua LGA to sensitize the people in their respective communities on the good intentions of the government, as well as the consequences of violating the order, emphasizing that aside other sanctions and legal implications, traditional rulers may lose their recognition if they fail or refuse to enforce the order in their communities.
Giving further clarification on Executive Order 21, Dr. Chidi Lloyd however explained that no section of the order prohibits the use of community playgrounds, event centres and private properties for political rallies, but enjoined community leaders and stakeholders to avoid a situation where political parties schedule their rallies on the same date and at the same venue, stressing that such situation if not properly managed may lead to the breakdown of law and order in the area. He said the clarification became necessary following the resumption of electioneering campaigns ahead of the 2023 general election and the misconception of Executive Order 21 by some misguided members of the public.
Reiterating his commitment to ensuring that the order is enforced to the latter across Emohua LGA, Dr Chidi Lloyd vowed to make sure that the full weight of the law is visited on anyone or group found culpable or in complicity with the violation of the order in any part of Emohua LGA, no matter how highly placed and irrespective of political affiliation. Speaking further, the Emohua council Boss blamed the recent security challenges in parts of the LGA on individuals with inordinate ambition, who sponsor and patronize cultists and criminals to undo their perceived opponents in their respective communities.
He enjoined Traditional Rulers, the Council of Chiefs and Community Development Committee, as well as youth leaders to support his administration’s war against crime and criminality by providing reliable information to the security agencies and the local government vigilante services (EMOVIS) while assuring that the security challenges witnessed in parts of the LGA will in no distant time become a thing of the past. The Chairman of the government recognized traditional rulers in Emohua LGA and the paramount ruler of Emohua kingdom, HRM Sir. Ohna Sergeant Awuse in his brief remark said it is the responsibility of traditional rulers to prevent the breakdown of law and order and to protect public facilities in their respective communities, hence they are under obligation to ensure that Executive Order 21 which legally protects government facilities from destruction during electioneering campaigns is obeyed in their domains.
Ohna Sergeant Awuse commended Dr Chidi Lloyd for the unprecedented infrastructural revolution and effective leadership witnessed across Emohua LGA under his watch, while urging traditional rulers across the LGA to rally support for the council chairman to enable him to accomplish his vision of repositioning Emohua LGA, to compete favourably in the comity of LGAs in Nigeria. The paramount ruler of Akpabu and Itu communities, HRH Eze Goodwin Chukwuemeka Ordu and the paramount ruler of the Rundele clan, Eze Damian Ejiowhor were amongst the notable Traditional Rulers who in their separate remarks promised to keep their people sensitized with the provisions of the Executive Order 21, for a better understanding and cooperation.
Prominent amongst the political leaders in attendance at the meeting were the Chief of Staff Rivers State Government House, Chief Engr Emeka Woke, the Member representing Emohua constituency in the state assembly, Hon Sam Ogeh, Leader of Emohua PDP caucus, Eze Paul Wokhe Wonodi, Rivers State PDP Youth Leader, Hon Ikpechi Oriji, the LGA chairman of PDP, Hon Uche Minikwu and PDP House of Assembly candidate for Emohua state constituency seat, Mrs Justina Emeji. Others are; Former Rivers Commissioners, Elder Chinedu Tasie Nwobueze (Housing), Hon Arthur Uchendu (Assembly Service Commission), Former Caretaker Committee Chairmen of Emohua LGA, Hon John Wokoma and Hon Godspower Nwoka, Erstwhile S.A on ICT to Rivers State Governor, Hon Goodlive Nmekini, Erstwhile Chief Medical Director of UPTH, Prof. Aaron Ojule, Member, Board of Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), Hon Ossa Uchendu, as well as the immediate past chairman of PDP in the LGA, Hon Vincent Orji.
Dr. Chidi Lloyd was accompanied to the meeting by the Vice Chairman of Emohua LGA, Hon Mrs.Edna Nyeche, Leader of Emohua Legislative Assembly, Hon Mrs /Love Nyenke and members of the assembly, Secretary of Emohua local government council, Chief Vincent Chukwu and members of the local government management committee, as well as principal officers and appointees of the council.
