Prominent Rivers State indigenes under the aegis of Major Stakeholders have written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, warning that the planned August 30, 2025, local government council elections in the state constitute “a serious threat to democracy” and a “brazen violation” of Nigeria’s Constitution.
In the letter titled, “Rivers LG Election: A Serious Threat to Democracy and Repeated Violations of the Constitution — Urgent Warning from Major Stakeholders”, the group accused the Rivers State Sole Administrator appointed by the Federal Government of attempting to conduct the polls without any constitutional mandate.
Signatories to the petition include Atedo Peterside, Celestine Omehia, Tonye Cole, Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Abiye Sekibo, Senator Lee Maeba, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Group Captain John Ben-Kalio (rtd.), and Engr. Tele Ikuru, among others.
According to the stakeholders, Rivers State presently has no legally constituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as required by the 2018 RSIEC Law and Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). They argued that only a duly elected governor, with confirmation from the State House of Assembly, can appoint RSIEC members, making any alternative appointment “invalid and unconstitutional.”
The group also faulted the RSIEC’s failure to provide the mandatory 90-day notice before an election, claiming the rushed timetable mirrors procedural flaws that led the Supreme Court to annul the 2024 polls. They further warned that ongoing court cases challenging the Sole Administrator’s legitimacy should halt the electoral process.
They maintained that the federal suspension of Rivers State’s executive and legislative branches has created a “constitutional crisis” under which no credible elections can be held. Citing legal precedents, they insisted that the Sole Administrator’s actions are ultra vires and void.
“The blatant usurpation of state autonomy desecrates our federal architecture and imperils democratic governance,” the letter read. “Rivers State stands at a crossroads: surrender to impunity or uphold the Constitution and the will of the people.”
Other signatories include Prince Fafaa Dan Princewill, Engr. Bekinbo Dagogo Jack, Hon. Randolph Iwo Brown, Amb. Oji Ngofa, Dr. Austin Tam-George, Donu Kogbara, Dr. Sokonte Davies, Dr. Glory Emeh, George Feyii, Hon. Honourable Asita, Surv. Sam Agwor, and Ann-Kio Briggs.
Meanwhile, in a development that could heighten tensions, President Tinubu has modified the powers of the Sole Administrator in relation to the conduct of the local government elections. According to Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 125 dated July 22, 2025, Section 2(2) of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 2 of 2018—covering the appointment of the RSIEC chairman and members—has been suspended.
The Gazette transfers the authority to appoint and swear in the RSIEC leadership to the Sole Administrator, while also empowering the office to handle petitions and litigations arising from the elections.
The development has fueled further debate over constitutional compliance and the balance of federal-state powers in Nigeria’s democracy.
