Crisis Deepens: Rivers LG Polls Unconstitutional Under Ibas, Says Legal Expert

The National Coordinator of Advocates for People’s Rights and Justice, Victor Giwa, has condemned the planned local government elections in Rivers State under the supervision of Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), labeling them illegal.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, Giwa firmly argued that any election conducted under the authority of Ibas would be unconstitutional and invalid.

He emphasized that Ibas lacks the constitutional power to appoint a Chairman for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

Responding to the scheduled August 30 local government elections, Giwa maintained that placing the responsibility on a Sole Administrator violates Nigeria’s democratic and constitutional principles.

“I was stunned to hear that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has appointed the Chairman of RSIEC and intends to proceed with elections on August 30,” Giwa stated.

“He has no legal standing to do this. He is not the Governor of the state.

“The role of a sole administrator is solely to prevent chaos and uphold peace and order where there’s a threat of instability—not to carry out constitutional functions reserved for an elected governor.”

Quoting the Rivers State Electoral Commission Law of 2018, Giwa explained that RSIEC must consist of seven members, including a chairman, all of whom must be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly.

“But the Sole Administrator is not a governor. He wasn’t elected under any law. And currently, there is no functioning State House of Assembly to screen and confirm any appointment,” he stressed.

“Therefore, any election conducted under such circumstances would be illegal, unconstitutional, and ultimately null and void,” Giwa concluded.