Atiku Slams Planned Rivers Council Polls Under Sole Administrator, Warns of Constitutional Breach

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the planned August 30 local government elections in Rivers State, which are being organised by Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok-Ete (Rtd).

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Atiku described the arrangement as unconstitutional and dangerous for Nigeria’s democratic framework. “What is playing out in Rivers State, with an illegal sole administrator, unknown to our Constitution, conducting council elections, has implications for the rest of the country. I join other men and women of goodwill to condemn this absurdity unequivocally,” he stated.

LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT

His comments align with those of business leader Atedo Peterside and several prominent Rivers State figures, including former governor Celestine Omehia and former deputy governor Tele Ikuru. These stakeholders issued a joint statement warning President Bola Tinubu that proceeding with the elections would be a “serious threat to democracy” and a blatant violation of the constitution.

LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT

They argued that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) is not legally constituted, as the chairman and members can only be appointed by an elected governor with House of Assembly approval — a process not followed in this case. They also accused RSIEC of violating the 90-day notice requirement for elections under state law, and noted that related court cases are still pending.

The group said the state’s governance crisis — triggered by the federal suspension of both the executive and legislative arms — has created conditions under which credible local elections are impossible. They maintained that only state authorities, not federally appointed agents, have the constitutional power to conduct council polls.

Citing legal precedents, they called the Sole Administrator’s actions “ultra vires and void,” warning that allowing the exercise to proceed would set a dangerous national precedent.