Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has said that political parties will deposit the the sum of five million caution fees before using any public school for campaign rally.
The governor stated this while signing an Executive Order 21 prohibiting the use of public schools for political parties without the approval of the state ministry of education as well as a motion passed by the State Assembly to de-recognise Celestine Omehia as former Governor of Rivers State.
According to him, applicants will deposit the fees in case participants in a rally destroy facilities in the schools.
Wike said the application for approval must be submitted at least two weeks before the date of the campaign.
He stressed that a local council chairman has the right to stop any rally if approval is not sought.
He also warned that the state government will not allow political parties and their supporters to disturb the peace in the state with political campaigns.
The governor threatened to penalize any head of school that connives with political parties to hold rallies without approval by the state government.
He reiterated his stance against the use of hotels and other leisure spots as meeting points by hoodlums and cultists ahead of the 2023 elections.
