AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF EBONYI STATE CHIEF FRANCIS OGBONNAYA NWIFURU AND THE SPEAKER OF THE EBONYI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY RT. HON. MOSES IJE ODINWA ON THE NEED TO ABOLISH THE OBNOXIOUS LAW RECENTLY PASSED BY THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROHIBITING POLITICAL BILLBOARDS AND POSTERS IN EBONYI STATE UNLESS THE CANDIDATES PAY LEVY RANGING FROM #150M, #20M, AND #5M RESPECTIVELY.
I wrote this open letter to register my displeasure on the manner the Ebonyi State Government is maltreating opposition in the State. This law passed by the State House of Assembly prohibiting billboards and posters from candidates contesting elections is a deliberate attempt to stifle opposition parties in Ebonyi State. Where do you expect opposition parties’ candidates to get #150m from just to be allowed to erect billboards and posters? This is autocratic leadership going on in our dear State.
Opposition is not a crime anywhere in the world. It is the beauty of democracy. It acts like a watch dog to the government in power so as to make sure that the dividends of democracy get to the people. Here in Ebonyi State opposition parties and candidates are treated like criminals. This is not acceptable and it has to stop going forward. If the government does not want to be criticised or have candidates from opposition parties contest against the candidates from the ruling party then the government must show scorecards and performance. It is only the achievements of the government that will make the electorates to Re-elect anyone in power for the second tenure not the attacks on opposition parties and their candidates.
How much did the Governor Chief Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru and wife pay for all their billboards scattered all over the States? Or does it mean the law is just made for opposition parties and her candidates? The House of Assembly Members must take cognisance of the fact that they were elected or selected to make laws that will benefit the people and not the ones that will intimidate and extort money from them.
I am very astonished that the State House of Assembly never considered it necessary to make laws prohibiting any so-called contractor in Ebonyi State from collecting money for a contract and abandon such a contract or deliver a shoddy job. I am equally shocked that Ebonyi State House of Assembly Members never considered it important to invite those government appointees fingered in the misappropriation of the hawker’s #3b. Only when it comes to making anti-people laws they become useful.
Let me use this medium to ask our dear Governor Chief Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru the reason he is borrowing a loan of Nine Billion, Six Hundred and Seventy Three Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand Eight Naira Six Kobo (#9,673,332,008,06) from the Key Stone Bank Limited this election period in the name of meeting UBEC counterpart funding requirement? For almost four years of your administration your Excellency you did not see the reason to improve Education in Ebonyi State is now that your tenure is ending that you want to obtain a loan to improve Education in the state? I hope it is not what I am thinking about your Excellency?
The Ebonyi State government must allow the opposition to breathe. Enough of this intimidation, harassment and threats…
Ebonyi State shall rise again.
Written by Comrade Chief Eze Oko Splendour.
2027 Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate Ebonyi State.