…Say plot is to hand structure to Abuja power base
Suspicion is high in Rivers State that administrators may soon be appointed to run the 23 local council areas in Rivers State.
A group which claims to have it on good authority says what was expected was the scheduled election to take place while the heads of local councils were to coordinate the councils in the interim.
The group known as PILEX Centre said the plot has a larger picture, to hand the political structure of Rivers State to one of the sides in the crisis that led to state of emergency.
PILEX Centre, which seems to be linked to the centre for humanitarian law in Port Harcourt
The group thus condemned what it called the unrefined and unlawful interferences of the federal government with the administration of Rivers State, especially in such an incautious manner that smacks of a perceptible taste to heat-up the polity, build tension, and project the state in the light of a crisis-ridden sub-national territory.
“We are aware the Sole Administrator, appointed by President Tinubu, is not responsible le to the people of Rivers State and therefore, every step he takes seemed geared towards satisfying the objective of defeating democracy, silencing the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and advancing the selfish, private vendetta of the leader of this country and his cohorts at the expense of the suffering people of Rivers State.
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In pursuit of the political vendetta, the Sole Administrator has relieved the Head of Service of Rivers State of his duty and announced a replacement. In a similar circumstance, he has appointed a New Secretary to the State Government.
“It is important to stress that the new SSG is an ardent loyalist of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. He was Chairman of a delegation of Okrika people who organized a civic reception in honour of the FCT Minister for influencing the appointment of one their own (Boma Iyaye) as Executive Director in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).”
The group urged President Tinubu and the Sole Administrator to exercise restraint in what they want to achieve in Rivers State.
PILX Centre said: “Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution explicitly states that the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is guaranteed under the constitution. One therefore wonders where President Tinubu and his Sole Administrator derive the powers to indulge in the action they have resolved to take.
“While Nigerians have continued in protest against the suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State and the consequential appointment of a Sole Administrator thereof, as unconstitutional, it is saddening that the said Sole Administrator whose appointment is illegal is wont to commit another illegality by planning to unlawfully appoint Sole Administrators for the local government councils.
“This is a clear instance of illegality breeding illegality, and it is all shades of wrong and portends grave danger to our democracy and the peace we enjoy in Rivers State.”
PILEX Centre recalled that 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.
The group thus called on Rivers people to be more vigilant for any ploys to foist another class of undemocratic leadership on the people.
