Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has denied banning political rallies.

He said the government was ready to appear in court with five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to challenge a planned suit by Civil Society Organisations (CLOs).

The governor was reacting to threats by CLOs to institute legal action against the state over a plan to restrict parties from using schools, markets and other government facilities for campaigns and rallies.

Umahi last week issued an executive order restricting parties from using schools, markets, parks and other government facilities for campaigns and rallies.

Information and State Orientation Commissioner Uchenna Orji said the governor assented to an Executive Order No 3 of 2022 prohibiting the use of primary or secondary school premises or fields, markets or motor parks for rallies or processions or gathering of similar activities.

Parties are expected to pay a refundable fee of N5million to enable them use the facilities.

The governor said yesterday on the floor of the House of the Assembly during the presentation of the 2023 budget estimate that the Education commissioner must be informed should any party want to use any school for campaigns or rallies, adding that no boarding school must be used for rallies or campaigns.

He said all parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), must pay for billboard adverts.(The Nation: Text, excluding headline)