Ward chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 319 wards of Rivers State have warned the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibokete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), against making illegal appointments and engaging in unconstitutional actions.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the sole administrator and signed by the Coordinator of the PDP Ward Chairmen Forum, Collins Wobo-Chukwu, the forum condemned the appointment of administrators for the 23 local government councils in the state by the sole administrator.
The forum described the appointment of the local government administrators as unlawful, unconstitutional, and in flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution.
“These actions are not only null and void but constitute an affront to democracy, the rule of law, and the will of the people of Rivers State.
“Even more recently, Justice Akomaye Agim of the Supreme Court, in a firm and unambiguous pronouncement, ruled against the continued use of caretaker committees or administrators to manage local government areas in Nigeria.
“He emphasised that such practices amount to the erosion of democratic structures at the grassroots and are a blatant violation of the constitution,” the PDP ward chairmen said.
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Ibas’ actions, the forum added, constitute a direct violation of these binding judgments and are tantamount to contempt of court and a usurpation of democratic authority.
“Additionally, your continued disobedience to the laws duly enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Martins Amaewhule, who has been affirmed by the Supreme Court as the authentic Speaker of the Assembly, is a grave affront to constitutional governance.
“Your refusal to implement these laws not only undermines the authority of a legitimately constituted legislative body but also constitutes a dangerous defiance of the rule of law and judicial pronouncements.
“We wish to state clearly that the people of Rivers State and the PDP as a party reject these illegalities,” the forum further said.
The PDP ward chairmen, therefore, demanded an immediate cessation of all appointments or administrative actions made by Ibas, public withdrawal and disavowal of all unconstitutional directives issued thus far and full compliance with the Supreme Court ruling, and alignment of all future conduct of the administrator with constitutional provisions.
The forum warned that should the unconstitutional actions of the sole administrator persist, it will pursue all available legal and political remedies to defend the democratic rights of the people.
“History will remember where each of us stood in moments like this. We urge you to stand on the side of the law,” the forum stated.
