Abia issues warning on campaigns ahead Obi’s arrival

Nearly two days before Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi visits Abia State to kick off Dr. Allex Otti's governorship campaign, the Abia State Government has issued a caution to other political parties against the use of public venues for campaigning.
"It has been brought to the government's attention that some misguided political parties are now embarking on the willful invasion of school facilities, stadiums, and priceless public premises across the state, all in the name of holding rallies and political campaigns," the state government said in a statement released by Eze Chikamnayo, the state commissioner for information and strategy.

"Whereas the Abia State Government, as a steadfast supporter of democratic freedoms and participatory democracy, will continue to provide all citizens with the necessary assistance to exercise their rights, it must be emphasized that such constitutional rights must be exercised in accordance with the law.
“Public utilities, school facilities, stadiums, and valuable public premises are properties of the people of Abia State entrusted to the care of the government. Therefore, no responsible government will stand by and watch as such facilities are willfully vandalised and degraded by sadistic elements with malicious interests disguising as politicians. The unscrupulous acts of these lawless individuals and groups jeopardise the efforts of government at all levels to provide succour to our children and citizens for whom those facilities were established.
“In view of the foregoing, henceforth, in addition to notifying the security agencies, the written consent of the Education Secretary of a local government and the Executive Chairman of that local government must be duly sought and obtained before the use of any primary school premises. 
"Groups and individuals seeking to use any secondary school should direct their applications and obtain their permits via the secondary education management board and the relevant local government chairman. Applicants wishing to use the Aba Stadium and others must give adequate guarantees that they will take responsibility for any damage sustained as a result of their activities before being allowed to use that prestigious monument. This directive has become necessary for the protection of our common good and the advancement of decency in our political conduct and takes immediate effect.” The governor said. 

Otti, the Labour Party's candidate for governor in Abia State, will launch his campaign on Thursday with a rally scheduled to take place at Ngwa High School in Aba.
Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Otti, “The rally, which would have in attendance the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, CON, his vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Yusuf Datti, and the party’s National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, would also feature high ranking national party officers, dignitaries, and friends of Alex Otti from all walks of life.”

References
Punchng, 'Ahead Obi’s arrival, Abia issues warning on campaigns' (online, 2022) <https://punchng.com/ahead-obis-arrival-abia-issues-warning-on-campaigns/>.