Date Published: 07/02/09
July 2, 2009 PRESS RELEASE
CD CALLS ON ABIANS TO DEFY BAN ON OKADA
The Campaign for Democracy, CD, [South-East Zone], condemns the ban on the operation of commercial motorcyclists in Abia State and order on the State Police Command as well as Abia State Vigilante Services by Governor T.A. Orji to ‘confiscate and smash’ any motorcyclists found operating in the state.
It is disheartening in a supposedly democratic dispensation Governor Orji would ban okada operation without sending a bill to the state house of assembly, seeking the repeal of the Abia State Control of Commercial Motorcycles Law, Cap 26, Laws of Abia State (1991-1997), Volume 1 which establishes and regulates the operation of motorcycles used for commercial purposes in the state.
The action of Governor Orji is a disregard for the rule of law, one of the things which pitched the founder of the Progressive People’s Alliance [PPA], Chief Orji Kalu against for President Obasanjo. It has portrayed Orji as democratic anarchist who should be expelled from the congregation of democrats.
Considering that, until the Law establishing and regulating okada operations in Abia State is repealed, the purported ban is null and void and therefore of no effect; the CD calls on Abia people to defy the order.
Comrade David Kalu
Regional Secretary [South-East],
Campaign for Democracy
93, Market Road, First Floor, Back
Aba, Abia State
E-mail: cdsoutheastzone@yahoo.com
