Opposition parties criticise police ban on rallies
The Conference of Nigeria Political
Parties has expressed outrage over the ban placed by the Federal
Capital Territory Police Command on public rallies, demonstrations,
processions, road shows and other public meetings.
“For us freedom of assembly and freedom
of association are the hallmarks of democracy, guaranteed by the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, African Charter on
Peoples and Human Rights and UN Declaration of Human Rights,” the group
said in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, and
signed by its spokesperson, Osita Okechukwu..
“We find it cogent to remind the Police
that the obnoxious Public Order Act, a colonial instrument of
oppression in the hands of the Police, was repealed in a profound
judgment delivered by Justice Anwuli Chikere of Federal High Court and
upheld by the Appeal Court in a suit instituted by the CNPP.”
The group should not resort to strong
arm tactics which neither detect nor prevent crime. It stated that a
vigilant and mobile police force with modern equipment could have
forestalled the mayhem of the independence anniversary, which claimed
innocent lives, wounded many and rubbished the image of the country.
“We, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police as a matter
of urgent national importance to cancel the ban and embark on the
process of installation of modern equipment to fight.”
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