Political analysts have condemned the recent inauguration of the chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) by the state’s sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, describing the move as unconstitutional and a threat to democratic order in the state.
Dr. Anthony Egobueze, a political analyst and Head of the Department of Political Science at Rivers State University, said the action of the sole administrator amounts to an abuse of constitutional processes. He argued that the appointment and inauguration of RSIEC officials by a non-elected administrator are not backed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is illegal because the current administration in Rivers State, headed by a sole administrator, is not recognized by the constitution. Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not envisage the appointment of an administrator by the president to take over a state,” Dr. Egobueze said.
“In a federal system like Nigeria’s, both the federal government and the federating units derive their powers from the constitution. None of them has the authority to dismantle or override structures legally established by the same constitution.”
Dr. Egobueze further warned that it would be inappropriate and unconstitutional for the sole administrator to go ahead with plans to conduct local government elections in the state.
“There are multiple cases in court concerning the dissolution of elected councils and other actions taken by the administrator. It would be an aberration for him to preside over such critical democratic processes as local government elections,” he said.
“Also, it is questionable that the National Assembly went ahead to screen and confirm the RSIEC nominees, granting the administrator the power to inaugurate them. That entire process is irregular and legally suspect.”
Prof. Kenneth Nweke
Similarly, Professor Kenneth Nweke, a political science lecturer at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, echoed Dr. Egobueze’s concerns. He stated that the sole administrator has no moral or legal justification to organize elections, especially when the legitimacy of his office is under litigation.
“It does not make sense for an unelected administrator to contemplate conducting local government elections. His tenure, and all actions stemming from it, are under judicial scrutiny. Everything surrounding his authority is a subject of ongoing litigation,” Prof. Nweke said.
“Now that some peace has been restored between key political actors in the state, all such controversial processes should be suspended until a return to a democratically elected government is achieved.”
The analysts urged stakeholders to respect constitutional procedures and avoid setting dangerous precedents that may weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
