The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has condemned the Rivers State Police Command over its ban on political rallies in the state.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, on Monday placed a ban on any form of political rally in the state. Mbu, who said the decision was based on the increasing political tension in the state, specifically said the ban affects political rallies under any guise. He also prohibited activities involving the Grassroots Development Initiative, Save Rivers Movement, and the Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation.
Mbu had before the outright ban on political rallies, directed that those holding rallies in the state should apply for police permission.
Reacting to the ban, the Executive Chairman of the Coalition, Debo Adeniran condemned the recklessness and impunity of the police commissioner.
He said, “The level of impunity in Rivers State is highly condemnable. It is high time someone told Mbu that pronouncements like this could not be made by him because he does not run the state and as a matter of fact, people do not need police permission to exercise their constitutional rights. It is not within the constitutional powers of a police commissioner in a state to unilaterally ban rallies, gatherings or processions. That is gross violation of the rule of law and usurpation of the constitutional power vested in the governor who is the chief security officer of the state.
Mr. Mbu should also realize that he is paid from the taxpayers’ money just to provide security for every citizen of the state and if he fails in his primary duty, then he does not deserve to be in that office.”
He however called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubaker to call the CP to order and urged the Rivers State indigenes to resist this repression.
“This is open invitation to anarchy, if allowed to stand. No sane nation on earth will allow such; hence we call on the Police IG to wade into the matter as a matter of urgency. I also enjoin the good people of Rivers State to form a common front to resist this repression by Mr. Mbu”, Adeniran said.
Abimbola Adegoke
Media Officer, CACOL
05 February, 2014
