Rivers Assembly Urged to Guarantee Equal Access to Public Facilities for 2027 Campaigns
Rivers Assembly Urged to Guarantee Equal Access to Public Facilities for 2027 Campaigns
Political stakeholders and civil society advocates have called on the Rivers State House of Assembly and the National Assembly to enact legislation preventing political office holders from denying opposition parties access to publicly owned facilities for election campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal follows growing concerns over restrictions on the use of public venues for political activities in parts of Rivers State. Stakeholders argued that facilities funded with taxpayers’ money should remain accessible to all registered political parties on equal terms and should not be used to undermine democratic participation.
Those backing the proposal maintained that equal access to public infrastructure is essential for free, fair and credible elections. They stressed that while authorities have a responsibility to ensure security, such concerns should not become a basis for limiting the constitutional rights of political parties and citizens to peaceful assembly and lawful political engagement.
The advocates also recommended that political parties using public facilities should comply with established regulations, including taking responsibility for any damage caused during campaign activities. They further urged security agencies to provide adequate protection before, during and after political events to ensure public safety.
According to the stakeholders, new legislation should also prevent arbitrary conditions or excessive charges that could discourage opposition parties from accessing public venues. They argued that protecting equal access to government-owned facilities would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, promote political inclusiveness and guarantee a level playing field for all contestants in the 2027 elections.
The call comes as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders urging lawmakers to safeguard democratic principles through policies that promote fairness, transparency and equal political participation.
