…Stakeholders accuse Federal Government of overreach, say move threatens democracy and breaches the Constitution
Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria, has condemned the planned conduct of local government elections in Rivers State by a Sole Administrator, describing the move as unconstitutional and dangerous to the nation’s democratic framework.
The elections, scheduled for August 30, 2025, are being organized under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok-Ete (Rtd), who is serving as Sole Administrator of the state. Critics argue that the position is not recognized by the Nigerian Constitution and accuse the Federal Government of overstepping its bounds by imposing him.
In a statement, Atiku compared the development to ignoring a fire in a neighbour’s house, warning that the precedent could spread beyond Rivers State if not checked. He said what is happening in Rivers, with an illegal sole administrator conducting council elections, has implications for the rest of the country, and joined others to condemn the process.
Businessman Atedo Peterside also raised concerns, saying the matter extends beyond Rivers State and could undermine Nigeria’s democratic system. He argued that the Federal Government must ensure it does not, even inadvertently, erode democratic principles while using Rivers as a test case.
Earlier, a coalition of political leaders and civil society advocates from Rivers State, including former deputy governor Tele Ikuru and former governor Celestine Omehia, issued a joint statement to President Bola Tinubu. They described the planned polls as a serious threat to democracy and a brazen flouting of Nigeria’s Constitution.
The group maintained that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission is not lawfully constituted. According to them, under the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2018, and Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, only a duly elected governor, with confirmation from the state House of Assembly, can appoint its chairman and members. They also accused the commission of breaching the mandatory 90-day notice period for elections, noting that the August 30 date was announced without proper notification for candidate nominations or a clear election timetable.
The stakeholders said the situation mirrors the flawed 2024 electoral process annulled by the Supreme Court and noted that several ongoing court cases challenge both the legality of the Sole Administrator’s appointment and the existence of the electoral commission in its current form. They argued that proceeding with the polls under these conditions would amount to contempt of court.
They further alleged that Rivers State has been plunged into a constitutional crisis and a de facto state of emergency due to the federal suspension of its executive and legislative arms, and the appointment of a federally backed administrator to run state affairs.
Quoting legal precedents such as Adewumi v. Plastex Ltd. and Okafor v. Umeh, they insisted that the Sole Administrator’s actions are ultra vires and void under Nigerian law. The statement stressed that Section 7(1) of the Constitution grants states exclusive authority to conduct local council elections and that a federally appointed agent cannot lawfully assume this role.
Political observers have warned that the Rivers State situation could become a dangerous precedent for bypassing constitutional governance if allowed to stand. As the August 30 date approaches, calls for the suspension or outright cancellation of the elections are growing, with many urging the Federal Government to restore constitutional order in Rivers before the crisis deepens further.
