By Deborah Nnamdi
A coalition of stakeholders and pro-democracy advocates in Rivers State has raised alarm over the proposed Local Government Council elections, describing the move as a direct threat to constitutional order and democratic governance.
In a joint statement issued Friday and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the group condemned the planned elections, which they said are being organized by a Sole Administrator with no constitutional legitimacy. They warned that proceeding with such an arrangement would deepen the state’s ongoing political crisis and further erode the rule of law.
The statement was endorsed by prominent figures including Atedo Peterside CON, Celestine Omehia, Prince Uche Secondus, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Senator Lee Maeba, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Prince Fafaa Princewill, Ambassador Oji Ngofa, Dr. Austin Tam-George, Donu Kogbara, Dr. Sokonte Davies, Dr. Glory Emeh, George Feyii, Hon. Asita, Sam Agwor, Ann-Kio Briggs, Group Captain John Ibiwari Ben-Kalio (Rtd.), Pastor Tonye Cole, Randolph Iwo O. Brown, and Engr. Reynolds Dagogo-Jack.
The stakeholders emphasized that there is currently no legally constituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as required by the Constitution. They argued that any elections conducted under such circumstances would be unconstitutional, null, and void.
They also highlighted that RSIEC has ignored the mandatory 90-day notice period before elections, as stipulated in Section 20 of the RSIEC Law. With no proper notification for candidate nominations or election timelines, and a surprise election date of August 30, 2025, the group warned that this process mirrors the discredited 2024 elections, which were annulled by the Supreme Court due to procedural irregularities.
“The disregard for these safeguards is not accidental—it’s a calculated assault on due process,” the statement declared.
The stakeholders further noted that courts are currently adjudicating the legality of both the Sole Administrator’s appointment and the existence of the current RSIEC. Despite multiple legal challenges and pending rulings at the Supreme and Federal High Courts, preparations for the election continue under what they described as a “manufactured emergency.”
They pointed to Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants state governments exclusive authority over local council elections. They stressed that no federally appointed agent has the legal power to assume this responsibility, citing established legal principles on agency and constitutional limits.
“This brazen usurpation of state powers undermines Nigeria’s federal structure and endangers democratic governance,” they warned.
Calling for immediate action, the group urged President Tinubu, the National Assembly, the judiciary, civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to intervene and prevent a looming constitutional crisis.
“Rivers State stands at a crossroads: we either submit to impunity or defend the Constitution and the will of the people. The choice is ours—and the stakes could not be higher.”
