APGA knocks Umahi over campaign ban in schools

Forum 1 year ago

APGA knocks Umahi over campaign ban in schools

The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance for Ebonyi South zone, Chief Ifeanyi Eleje, has said the ban on political campaigns and rallies in schools, markets and parks in the state by Governor David Umahi was undemocratic and ridiculous.

According to him, the move was geared towards gagging opposition politicians in the state, saying, “I don’t think it deepens the space.”

Eleje, who stated this during an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, said, “I don’t think this is in sync with democracy. I don’t think it deepens the space. Politicians need to have an arena whereby they can communicate their ideas and visions to the electorates.

“It cannot be done totally via the social media. There need for physical contact between those seeking for elective offices and the people, who will elect them.

“You need to feel pulse of the people and they need to read you when you are speaking to them. This can only be achieved where you have a level playing field and freedom of expression.

“Where would you stop? When you say don’t use girls schools, we can go to boys schools. But when you say don’t use schools, what about private schools? What if a private school offers me their space for use?

“Why should I pay N5m to government? Is government the owner of private schools? What about public or village arenas? Like in Afikpo here, we have the Ogo. How is that defined?