Advocacy group condemns plot to foist administrators on Rivers LGs

A public interest advocacy organization, Pilex Center, has raised the alarm over an alleged move by the newly appointed Sole Administrator in Rivers state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), to appoint administrators to head the 23 local government areas of the state. 

The Pilex Center condemned the moves in a statement signed by its Coordinator, 

Courage Nsirimovu, who expressed concern over the alleged reports of an imminent plan to appoint local government administrators. 

Nsirimovu described the plan to sack all the local government chairmen in the state as a step towards heating up the polity, building tension, and to project the state in the light of a crisis-ridden sub-national territory. 

According to him, “Credible information from reliable sources has revealed plots by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to appoint administrators for the twenty-three local government councils of the state, a gimmick contrived by the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through his agent, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, to surreptitiously yield control of the third tier of government in Rivers State to lackeys of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in furtherance of their odious objective of state capture. 

“Pilex Centre condemns in very strong terms the unrefined and unlawful interferences of the federal government with the administration of Rivers State, especially in such an incautious manner that smacks of a perceptible taste to heat-up the polity, build tension and project the state in the light of a crisis-ridden sub-national territory.

“We are aware the Sole Administrator, appointed by President Tinubu is not responsible to the people of Rivers State and therefore, every step he takes is geared towards satisfying the objective of defeating democracy, silencing the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and advancing the selfish, private vendetta of the President and his cohorts at the expense of the suffering people of Rivers State.

“In pursuit of the political vendetta, the Sole Administrator has relieved the Head of Service of Rivers State of his duty and announced a replacement. In a similar circumstance, he has appointed a New Secretary to the state government—Prof. Ibibia Worika. 

Nsirimovu stated that “It is important to stress that Prof. Worika is an ardent loyalist of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. He was Chairman of a delegation of Okrika people who organized a civic reception in honour of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, for influencing the appointment of one their own – Boma Iyaye as Executive Director in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“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. 

“This is a clear instance of illegality breeding illegality, and 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.”

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