A group under the aegis of Pilex Centre has condemned plans by the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas (rtd), to conduct local government elections in the state, describing it as unconstitutional.
This was contained in a statement issued by the organisation on Monday, and made available to newsmen, the statement titled “Boycott Proposed Unlawful L.ocal Government Elections in Rivers State” has noted that the administrator does not have the constitutional powers to set up RSIEC, insisting that only an elected governor can constitute such body.
Consequently, advised people in the State to boycott the elections, hence it will be invalid because it was wrongly constituted and conducted.
It will be recalled that Ibas has inaugurated chairman and members of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) about two weeks ago , in a bid to conduct the Local Government Elections in the State.
“It is the view of Pilex Centre that the unconstitutional sole administrator doesn’t have the constitutional powers to set up RSIEC as stipulated in S. 198 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (As amended). Only an elected governor can set up such body.
“The job of the unlawful sole-administrator is to ensure peace in a state that was not at war. However, he has moved beyond his mandate to do the job of delivering the political and economic structure of Rivers State to some very greedy politician whom he acts in proxy for.
“The powers of the president of Nigeria under S. 305 to declare state of emergency, is in no way expanded to include the power to suspend or remove a sitting governor duly elected by the people.In the case of A.G Federation V A.G Lagos State and A.G Plateau State V A.G Federation, the court stated that the president has no powers to suspend or remove a sitting governor.” the group said.
“As such, every action taken by the sole administrator, on the quicksand which he stands, will fall with him and drown without any remedy whatsoever.
“Pilex Centre hereby warns the sole administrator not to waste tax payers’ money as the proposed unlawful election will be challenged in court and thrown away as another waste of time and resources of Rivers people”, the group added.
