The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in the United States and The Peoples Advocate (TPA) have criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s imposition of state of emergency in Rivers State and the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator.

In separate statements, NADECO USA president, Lloyd F. Ukwu and TPA coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu, condemned the decision, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of democratic principles.

Ukwu argued that Nigeria operates as a federation, and Rivers State is a sovereign entity within it, making Tinubu’s unilateral suspension of an elected governor unconstitutional.

“Rivers State is not a subordinate institution, nor is Tinubu its overseer. His own presidency remains under a cloud of illegitimacy, declared by INEC despite widespread irregularities,” Ukwu said.

He insisted that the people of Rivers State elected Siminalayi Fubara as governor in 2023, not an imposed administrator, and demanded Ibas’s immediate resignation.

“The people of Rivers State exercised their democratic right in 2023 by electing Siminalayi Fubara as their governor. They did not choose an imposed administrator. NADECO therefore demands the immediate resignation of this illegitimate appointee.

“True democracy requires that governance be rooted in the people’s will, expressed through free and fair elections. The current administrator is an imposter and a usurper, lacking any mandate from the people. NADECO calls on Rivers people to unequivocally reject him,” he said.

Nsirimovu, on his part, alleged that Ibas planned to appoint administrators for the state’s 23 local government areas, a move he described as an attempt to hand control to allies of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

“The federal government’s unlawful interference is heating up the polity and projecting Rivers as crisis-ridden,” he said, calling for a halt to such actions.

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,” Nsirimovu added.

Source: Daily Trust 

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