‘Sole administrator lacks legitimacy’ — CSOs call for boycott of Rivers LG polls

The Rivers Civil Society Organisations (RIVCSO) has called for the boycott of the forthcoming LG elections in the state.

On July 28, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) announced August 30 as the date for the LG elections in the state.

In a statement, RIVCSO described the forthcoming LG elections as “an illegitimate exercise that threatens the democratic rights of the people of Rivers state”.

The statement was signed by Enefaa Georgewill, chairman of RIVCSO, and Tuka Loanyie, the spokesperson.

The group said Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers, lacks the legitimacy to govern or conduct LGA elections in the state.

The CSOs said the announcement of the election by RSIEC fell short of the notice period stipulated in the Electoral Act 2022.

“The sole administrator is illegal and lacks any legitimate authority to govern or conduct elections for Rivers people,” the statement reads.

“The current composition of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) is illegal and unconstitutional, as it was not established by a duly elected governor, as required by Section 198 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“The newly constituted RISIEC violates the Electoral Act, which mandates a minimum of 90 days notice for elections.
The announcement on July 28, 2025, for an election on August 30, 2025, falls short of this requirement, rendering the process invalid.

“If they claim they’re relying on the previous memo of the illegally sacked members of RISIEC, we are forced to ask the reason behind their sack.

“A reconstituted board cannot claim to follow the guideline of a board that was illegally dissolved without their tenure expiring.

“If the actions of the legally constituted board are valid, and their actions transferable, what then is the essence of their sack that led to the obstruction of the 90 days election process as required by law?

“We vehemently oppose this unlawful election and call on Rivers people and political parties to boycott this sham exercise.

“An exercise that has no room for party primaries, manifestos, and campaigns cannot be referred to as being fair, let alone transparent.”

In February 2025, the supreme court nullified the LG election held in Rivers on October 5, 2024.

The apex court had held that there was no evidence to show that the conditions set out in section 150(3) of the Electoral Act were met before the RSIEC conducted the polls.

In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers; his deputy; and the legislative arm for six months owing to the political crisis in the state.

Tinubu then appointed Ibas as the sole administrator.