The Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has faulted the scheduled August 30, Rivers State local government election, saying that the Commission, as presently constituted, lacks the legitimate authority to conduct any election.
The umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria expressed displeasure over what it described as illegality and unconstitutionality of the proposed election by the electoral body.
In a press statement on Wednesday, signed by Dr. Yusuf M. Dantalle, National Chairman and Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, National Secretary of the association, noted that conducting elections during the period of emergency rule in the state is a caricature of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and its institutions.
The statement was addressed to the chairman of RSIEC and copied to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Speaker of House of Representatives, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS), and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The statement reads, “It’s in pursuit of these shared objectives of IPAC that we write to you concerning the illegality and unconstitutionality of the proposed Rivers State Council (Local Government Area and Councillorship) Elections scheduled to hold on the 30th of August, 2025.
“We wish to state most emphatically that the process of conducting the Rivers State Council Elections during this period of emergency rule in the State is a caricature of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and its institutions.
“It’s common knowledge that His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, on 18h March, 2025, while proclaiming a State of Emergency in Rivers State, accentuated amongst other issues bordering on security and constitutional breaches and suspended all democratically elected institutions in the state, allowing only the judiciary as the only democratic institution to function.”
IPAC stated further, “There’s no gainsaying that the State of emergency was basically declared to contain the persistent political crises and restore peace and order in Rivers State, which is the paramount responsibility of the Sole Administrator, and not to go ahead with conducting democratic elections, which in itself could brew further political crises.
“We herein unequivocally express our utmost dismay and concern at your resolve to continue the illegal and unconstitutional exercise with total disregard to Nigeria’s constitutional democratic norms.
“It’s imperative to note that your Commission, as presently constituted, lacks the legitimate authority to conduct any election in Rivers State, as the only constitutionally recognised authority to appoint members of the State Electoral Commission is the Governor, and confirmed by the State House of Assembly, all being democratically elected institutions.
“It’s on the strength of the above and many more unconstitutional and illegal steps taken by the Sole Administrator that IPAC as a body geared towards entrenching deep rooted democratic norms in our society, do vehemently condemn in its entirety the illegal process of conducting Council Elections in Rivers State without at first lifting and restoring democratic institutions in the State.
“The IPAC arising from its General Assembly meeting strongly wishes to state most unambiguously that we dissociate ourselves from this illegitimate exercise, which threatens our democratic norms and rule of law. On this note, IPAC hereby directs all lovers of democracy in Rivers State, especially All Political Parties, to desist from participating in the Rivers State Council election slated to hold on 30th August, 2025.
“The Inter-Party Advisory Council will explore other legitimate means to ventilate our grievances and concerns should you ignore and disregard this patriotic and reasonable approach towards calling you to order and restoring sanity in the State.”
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