H URIWA Asks Wike To Rescind Ban on Igbo Meetings In Rivers

Says Order Unconstitutional, Apartheid Policy

THE ban placed on a proposed meeting by a group, United Igbo Community in the Oyigbo Council, Rivers State, by Governor Nyesom Wike has been described as unlawful, unconstitutional and a policy akin to apartheid.

Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria ( HURIWA), in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, advised the governor to desist from actions that portray him as a lawless emperor, who has scant regards for the constitutional rights and freedoms of

Nigerian citizens.

The rights group said Wike’s action is not so different from the expulsion of Femi Falana from Port Harcourt, Rivers State in an attempt to frustrate the vigorous defence been put forward by the legal team that represented the then Ogoni rights activist, Dr Ken Saro- Wiwa.

HURIWA reminded Wike that power is transient; saying any governor throwing around some imaginary super manpower should know that soon, they will be out of power and they will be appropriately addressed as former governor.

The group recalled that in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications of Rivers State, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, Wike directed security agencies to ensure that the planned meeting does not hold in a bid to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area.

Reacting to the reported ban of the Igbo meetings in Rivers State, HURIWA said the ban violates several constitutional provisions.