Pilex Centre, a civil society group, has rejected plans by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, to appoint sole administrators in the state’s 23 LGAs.
The group said they stand by the Supreme Court judgement stipulating that a proper election be conducted, which would apparently be conducted by a legitimate government and not an illegitimate administration.
Pilex Centre condemned in strong terms what they described as the federal government’s unrefined and unlawful interferences with the administration of Rivers State, especially in such an incautious manner that it smacks of a perceptible taste to heat up the polity, build tension, and project the state in the light of a crisis-ridden subnational territory.
A statement issued by their coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu, said they are aware that the sole administrator appointed by President Tinubu is not responsible to the people of Rivers State. Therefore, every step he takes is geared towards satisfying the objective of defeating democracy and silencing the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“In a similar circumstance, he has appointed a New Secretary to the State Government – Prof. Ibibia Worika.
“We urge President Tinubu and his Sole Administrator to exercise restraints in their unlawful meddling into the administration of Rivers State.
“Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution explicitly states that the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is guaranteed under the constitution. One, therefore, wonders where President Tinubu and his illegitimate Sole Administrator derive the powers to indulge in the action they have resolved to take.
“While Nigerians have continued in protest against the suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State and the consequential appointment of a Sole Administrator thereof, as unconstitutional, it is saddening that the said Sole Administrator whose appointment is illegal is wont to commit another illegality by planning to unlawfully appoint Sole Administrators for the local government councils,” the group said.
The civil society group said what is happening in Rivers State is a clear instance of illegality breeding illegality, adding, “It is all shades of wrong and portends grave danger to our democracy and the peace we enjoy in Rivers State.
“The Supreme Court had stipulated that a proper election be conducted, and that apparently would be done by a legitimate government and not an illegitimate administration.
“Hence, Pilex Centre calls on Rivers people to resist the ploy of the said administrator to foist another class of undemocratic leadership on us,” the group added.
