Our Reporter, Port Harcourt
Human rights group, PILEX Centre, has called on residents of Rivers State to shun the upcoming local government elections slated for August, labeling the process “illegal, unconstitutional, and a monumental waste of public resources.”
In a press statement dated July 21, 2025, the Executive Director of PILEX Centre, Courage Nsirimovu, strongly condemned the planned polls under the supervision of the state’s Sole Administrator, Mr. Ibaas. The group described the process as “a product of crass illegality and brash impunity,” insisting that only an elected governor, not a presidentially appointed sole administrator, has the constitutional power to conduct such elections.
PILEX Centre argued that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), reportedly reconstituted by the sole administrator to oversee the polls, has no legal foundation under the current arrangement. Citing Section 198 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Nsirimovu emphasized that only a democratically elected governor has the authority to establish RSIEC and supervise local council elections.
“The unconstitutional sole administrator does not have the constitutional powers to set up RSIEC… The job of the unlawful sole administrator is to ensure peace in a state that was not at war,” the statement read.
The group accused the administrator of acting on behalf of unnamed “greedy politicians,” warning that all actions taken under his authority will be null and void. PILEX further pointed to the lack of proper electoral groundwork, noting that party primaries, nominations, and campaigns — slated for April through June — have not been held.
Referring to legal precedents, including Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Lagos State and A.G. Plateau State v. A.G. Federation, PILEX asserted that the President lacks the constitutional power to suspend or remove a sitting governor, as reportedly occurred in Rivers State.
To buttress its argument, the group cited Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent remarks at a public function, where he recounted how former President Goodluck Jonathan was advised against removing a sitting governor during a state of emergency declaration.
“In light of this,” PILEX stated, “it is apparent that the President acted in impunity against the Constitution and the good people of Rivers State. Hence, the sole administrator is a fruit of a poisonous tree.”
The group urged residents to boycott the elections entirely, warning that any participation would only lend credence to what they describe as “a sham.”
“We reiterate that Rivers people should not waste their time to vote because the election will not stand. Boycott the election.”
PILEX also vowed to challenge the legality of the planned polls in court, stressing that any resources committed to the exercise would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.
