Governor Wike bans street protests, condemns Biafra protest

Read the press statement below..
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo
Wike has banned all forms of street
protests in the state, condemning the
street protests by the Indigenous People of
Biafra which have crippled commercial
activities in the state. The governor
declared : "let no one be in doubt of the
resolve of the Rivers State Government
and the security agencies to maintain law
and order at all cost within the State and
preserve the unity of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria." In a state-wide broadcast on
Tuesday night, Governor Wike decried the
movement of protesters from
neighbouring States into Rivers State,
noting that they have inflicted injuries on
other citizens going about their lawful
businesses.
He said: "Majority of these individuals have come
from neighbouring States and in the course of
these protests, disrupted social and economic
activities, damaged properties, assaulted and
inflicted injuries on other citizens going about
their lawful endeavours." "While individuals and
groups are free to exercise their freedom of
expression, they must do so peacefully and
strictly within the bounds of the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No individual or
group has the right, whatsoever, to disturb
public peace and order, threaten the safety of
the public and create fear and an atmosphere of
insecurity in the State or any part thereof."
"The right of any group of persons to agitate for
their perceived rights cannot be allowed to
infringed on the rights of other Nigerians,
especially the people of Rivers State to remain an
integral component of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria." Banning all forms of street protests,
Governor Wike : "Consequently, after due
consultations with the members of the State
Security Council, and in exercise of my
constitutional responsibility to preserve the
safety, security and corporate integrity of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is hereby ordered
that all forms of street protests, demonstrations,
rallies or unlawful gatherings associated with the
agitations for the secession of any group from
the Federal Republic of Nigeria are banned in
Rivers State.
" Any person or group who violates this ban or
acts in any manner prejudicial to the interest of
peace and security would be arrested and
prosecuted. " The governor commended security
agencies for their mature handling of the the
protests so far, urging them to continue to work
in the right direction.
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor,
Electronic Media.
Source:www.lindaikejisblog.com/2015/11/governor-wike-bans-street-protests.html?m=1

Cc:lalasticlala

Highly commendable move Sir Wike.

Whilst I recognize the right to freedom of expression by any group as guaranteed in the constitution, the rationale behind that provision becomes defeated when such expression distorts the peaceful coexistence of the general public. Apparently, the protests thus far by my biafran friends have been distorting the peace of Rivers State.

True federalism, not secession, is the most realistic way forward my biafran friends

.