By Our Reporter
Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the ban placed on the proposed meeting by a sociocultural group, United Igbo Community in Oyigbo Local Government Area of River State.
The National Coordinator of HURIWA, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko in a statement described the directive by the state governor, Mr Nyesom Wike as unlawful, unconstitutional and a directive akin to apartheid.
Recall that the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Mr Paulinus Nsirim had in a statement authorised by Wike,directed security agencies to ensure that the planned meeting did not hold.
According to Paulinus, the move is in a bid to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area.
However, Onwubiko, said that the ban violated several constitutional provisions.
He expressed concern that such policy that had scant regard for the constitutional rights and freedom of Nigerian citizens could be issued by someone trained as a lawyer.
He advised the governor to desist from actions that would portray him as a lawless emperor.
He noted that the actions of the governor was not different from the expulsion of Femi Falana from Port Harcourt in an attempt to frustrate the defence by the legal team that represented the then Ogoni rights activist, Dr Ken Saro-Wiwa.
Onwubiko reminded Wike that power is transient, adding that any governor throwing around some imaginary super manpower should know that soon they would be out of power.
