Rivers Stakeholders Write President Tinubu, Raise Serious Issues Regarding Local Government Election

Respected Rivers indigenes from diverse walks of life, via a group known as Major Stakeholders, have written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, expressing their reservations over the proposed conduct of local government election in the state.

In the open letter titled: “Rivers LG Election: A Serious Threat To Democracy And Reoeated Violationa Of The Constitution — Urgent Warning From Major Stakeholders, they voiced their concerns over the ongoing “violation of constitutional governance and due process in the unlawful attempt to hold Local Government Council elections in the state.”

The major stakeholders including Atedo Peterside, Celestine Omehia, Tonye Cole, Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Abiye Sekibo, Senator Lee Maeba, Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Group Captain John Ben-Kalio and Engr Tele Ikuru, declared that “the proposed local government council elections in Rivers State are nothing short of an existential assault on our democracy and a brazen flouting of Nigeria’s Constitution.”

According to them, “These elections, orchestrated by a “Sole Administrator” with no constitutional mandate and allegedly imposed by the Federal Government, threaten the very foundations of our federal system, the rule of law, and the peace of Rivers State.

“First, there is currently no legally constituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as mandated by Sections 2, 3, 5, and 12 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2018. Consequently, any electoral activities undertaken by such an illegitimate body are null and void. The combined interpretation of the specified sections of the RSIEC Law alongside Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) establishes that only the elected Governor, upon confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly, is empowered to appoint the Chairman and members of RESIEC. Any appointment process outside this constitutional procedure is invalid and unconstitutional.

“Second, the illegitimate Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has flagrantly ignored the mandatory 90-day notice requirement before an election, as stipulated in Section 20 of the RSIEC Law. With no formal notification for candidate nominations or polling timetables—and an election date of August 30, 2025, announced on short notice—this process bears a resemblance to the 2024 polls, which the Supreme Court annulled due to procedural failures. Ignoring these safeguards is not an oversight; it is a deliberate attack on the principle of due process.”

“Third, courts across the land are actively adjudicating the legality of the Sole Administrator’s appointment and the very existence of a functioning RSIEC. Yet, despite pending Supreme Court and Federal High Court actions—and multiple sub judice challenges by political parties—electoral machinery grinds on under a so-called “emergency” guise.

“Fourth, Rivers State has been plunged into a constitutional crisis and a de facto state of emergency due to the federal suspension of its executive and legislative branches. If INEC deems by-elections untenable under such conditions, how can local government polls—unrelated to any genuine emergency-be justified?

“Fifth, Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution vests exclusive responsibility for local council elections in state governments. A federally appointed agent—lacking any legal foundation—cannot lawfully step into this role. The doctrine of agency, affirmed in landmark cases such as Adewumi v. Plastex Ltd. and Okafor v. Umeh, holds that an agent’s authority is strictly derivative; without a constitutional grant, the actions of the Sole Administrator are ultra vires and void.”

While arguing that “the blatant usurpation of state autonomy desecrates our federal architecture and imperils democratic governance,” they called on President Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Nigerian Judiciary, civil society, the media, the international community, and all defenders of democracy to intervene decisively.

“Rivers State stands at a crossroads: surrender to impunity or uphold the Constitution and the will of the people. The choice is ours—and the stakes could not be higher,” they declared.

Other stakeholders that added their vehemence in the letter include Prince Fafaa Dan Princewill, Engr Bekinbo Dagogo Jack, Hon Randolph Iwo Brown, Amb. Oji Ngofa, Dr Austin Tam-George, Donu Kogbara, Dr Sokonte Davies, Dr Glory Emeh, George Feyii, Hon Honourable Asita, Surv Sam Agwor and Ann-Kio Briggs.