By Dennis Agbo
ABUJA — The Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly has urged the state legislature to withdraw the proposed Enugu State Crowd Control and Management Agency Bill, 2026, citing concerns over its possible impact on constitutional freedoms.
The forum, chaired by former Speaker Denge Josef Onoh, made the call in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
The former lawmakers said they had followed the public debate and concerns surrounding the bill and considered it their responsibility, as former members of the legislature, to offer guidance based on their experience.
Onoh said the forum recognised the sponsor of the private member bill, Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze, as an experienced legislator whose intention was to protect lives, prevent stampedes and address vulnerabilities at event centres.
He, however, said the forum had identified provisions in the proposed legislation which, in its view, could conflict with constitutional rights.
According to Onoh, the bill’s definition of a “large gathering” as any gathering exceeding 100 persons, alongside proposed penalties for organising such gatherings without government approval, could restrict the right to peaceful assembly and association guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.
He said the provisions could affect ordinary gatherings such as weddings, funerals, community meetings and religious activities.
The forum also raised concerns about the implications of the bill for freedom of movement under Section 41 of the Constitution, arguing that some of its proposed bureaucratic requirements and crowd-control measures could impose undue restrictions on citizens.
Onoh said the forum believed the sponsor’s intention was not political, but expressed concern about the timing of the proposed legislation amid increasing political activities in the state.
“With political activities and transitions steadily taking off across the state, introducing a bill that directly limits or heavily regulates public gathering numbers creates fertile ground for extreme public misconception,” he said.
He added that public concerns that the legislation could be used to restrict civil, religious or political gatherings indicated that the current socio-political environment was unsuitable for the bill.
The former lawmakers therefore appealed to Obieze and the leadership of the Enugu State House of Assembly to withdraw the bill.
Onoh said the appeal was aimed at preserving peace, democratic freedoms and the reputation of the state legislature.
He urged serving members of the House to regard the intervention as a professional contribution from former lawmakers committed to the development of the state.
The forum said it remained willing to continue offering guidance to successive generations of lawmakers after their tenure in the House.
“Let us prioritise the immediate psychological and social peace of the good people and residents of Enugu at this time,” Onoh said.
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