By Ogenyi Ogenyi, .Uyo
An advocacy group in Akwa Ibom, Open Forum for Humanity Organisation,has expressed disappointment over the hosting of the All Progressives Congress flag at the newly refurbished Ibom Plaza, a recreational facility at the centre of Uyo metropolis.
The Founder and convener of the group, Matthew Okono made this in a statement issued to newsmen in Uyo on Monday.
The plaza, located at the heart of Uyo metropolis, was built by Governor Victor Attah of the PDP as a recreational centre. However, the centre was neglected by successive administrations as it became a centre of prostitution and crime until the present rehabilitated the centre late last year.
However, Okono criticised the idea to fly the APC flag, side by side the Nigerian and Akwa Ibom flags, describing it as a strange development warning that if such a practice is allowed to foster, it could lead to political flags be flown at public places and offices
”’Still on the over politicisation of the system, we want to say that the hoisting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag at the refurbished Ibom Plaza is a strange development which MUST not be allowed.
”’Ibom Plaza was amongst the numerous initiatives of the Arc. Obong Victor Attah administration. It is a public recreation centre and not a political party centre. The idea to fly the APC flag, side by side the Nigerian and Akwa Ibom flags is a strange development that cannot be defended, except, as another poorly thought-out means of promoting a partisan political party at a state infrastructure.
‘ If allowed, partisan political flags will be flown at the House of Assembly,Courts, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) schools and hospitals in the State.”Okono said in the statement.
He called for an end to hoisting of political party flags in public places and institutions across the state, noting that the inability to separate partisan politics from governance has been responsible for intractable challenges bedeviling the state/
”After elections, elected officials do not only represent their partisan political parties that brought them to power or they defected to after elections, but the people. Governance abhors partisanship. The inability to separate partisan politics from governance is responsible for the intractable challenges bedeviling development and people-centered governance at all levels in the country.
” Open Forum hereby advocates for an end to the flying of political party flags in Government Houses, Presidential Villa (If applicable) and on Official Vehicles of State Governors and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Government Houses and Offices should not be also be used for party meetings.
” Partisan political party meetings and flags should be restricted to party secretstiats and gatherings. A law to that effect should be enacted at State and Federal levels. Patriotism and service delivery should be the benchmark, not partisan political affiliations, even when its is for purely self preservation.” He said.
