Features
Rivers LG polls: A Democratic Facade Under Emergency Rule
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
31 Aug 2025 01:36 AM
The recently concluded local government elections in Rivers State, held on August 30, 2025, have sparked widespread criticism and raised serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in the state, particularly given the ongoing state of emergency.
The elections, conducted under the supervision of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator appointed following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in March 2025, have been described by critics as a mockery of democracy, marred by legal, procedural, and ethical concerns.
The state of emergency, imposed to curb escalating political tensions between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, resulted in the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and the State House of Assembly.
This unprecedented move, which centralized power in the hands of a sole administrator, set the stage for an electoral process that many argue was neither free nor fair.
The conduct of the local government elections under these conditions has drawn sharp rebuke from political stakeholders, civil society organizations, and residents, who see it as a dangerous precedent for democratic governance in Nigeria.
One of the primary criticisms of the elections stems from the questionable legal framework under which they were conducted.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), led by Dr. Michael Odey, a non-indigene from Cross River State, was appointed by the Sole Administrator without consultation with the suspended state leadership, raising concerns about legitimacy.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) labeled the RSIEC as illegally constituted, arguing that only an elected governor and State House of Assembly have the constitutional authority to appoint its members.
IPAC’s directive to boycott the polls underscored the widespread belief that the elections were a continuation of undemocratic practices in the state.
Furthermore, the elections were held in defiance of legal challenges questioning their validity. A suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) sought to halt the polls, alleging that the published candidates were impostors and not the party’s authentic nominees.
Although a Rivers State High Court ruled on August 28, 2025, that there were no legal impediments to the elections, critics argue that the judiciary’s handling of the case was rushed and failed to address substantive constitutional concerns.
The decision to proceed with the elections under emergency rule also contradicts the precedent set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which postponed a by-election for the Khana II constituency due to the same emergency conditions.
Civil society groups have questioned why RSIEC was allowed to conduct local government elections when INEC deemed the environment unsuitable for credible polls. This inconsistency has fueled accusations that the elections were orchestrated to serve specific political interests rather than to restore democratic governance.
The elections were marked by alarmingly low voter turnout, particularly in Port Harcourt, where residents were seen engaging in street football and environmental sanitation rather than heading to polling units.
Many expressed disillusionment with the electoral process, with some describing voting as “meaningless” due to a lack of confidence in its fairness. In one polling unit in Ward 15, Echue Street, only a single vote was reportedly recorded, a stark indicator of the public’s disengagement.
Residents cited the predetermined nature of the outcome and a history of electoral manipulation as reasons for their apathy, with one individual stating that their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) was used solely for banking purposes.
The absence of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), a critical tool for ensuring transparency in Nigerian elections, further eroded trust in the process. Former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, dismissed concerns about the non-use of BVAS, claiming the elections were peaceful and successful.
However, critics argue that the lack of such safeguards undermines the credibility of the results and leaves room for manipulation.
Tonye Cole, a former APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, described the elections as “a setback for democracy,” arguing that it is inappropriate for a sole administrator to oversee such a critical democratic exercise.
Cole’s concerns echo those of many who see the elections as an attempt to entrench political control under the guise of restoring order. The rushed and poorly organized nature of the polls, coupled with the controversial appointment of RSIEC’s leadership, has led to accusations that the process was designed to favor certain political factions ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Civil society and residents have also accused the federal government of using the emergency rule to “capture” Rivers State’s political landscape.
A modified gazette dated July 22, 2025, which suspended key provisions of the RSIEC law, has been cited as evidence of a deliberate effort to manipulate the electoral process. Critics argue that the elections, rather than signaling a return to democratic normalcy, were a strategic move to consolidate power under emergency rule, further alienating the people of Rivers State.
As Rivers State approaches the September 18, 2025, expiration of the emergency rule, there is growing pressure on President Tinubu to restore democratic institutions and ensure that Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly resume their duties.
Residents and civil society groups have warned against any attempt to extend the emergency rule, arguing that it would further erode public trust and deepen the state’s political crisis.
The elections, conducted under the supervision of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator appointed following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in March 2025, have been described by critics as a mockery of democracy, marred by legal, procedural, and ethical concerns.
The state of emergency, imposed to curb escalating political tensions between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, resulted in the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and the State House of Assembly.
This unprecedented move, which centralized power in the hands of a sole administrator, set the stage for an electoral process that many argue was neither free nor fair.
The conduct of the local government elections under these conditions has drawn sharp rebuke from political stakeholders, civil society organizations, and residents, who see it as a dangerous precedent for democratic governance in Nigeria.
One of the primary criticisms of the elections stems from the questionable legal framework under which they were conducted.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), led by Dr. Michael Odey, a non-indigene from Cross River State, was appointed by the Sole Administrator without consultation with the suspended state leadership, raising concerns about legitimacy.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) labeled the RSIEC as illegally constituted, arguing that only an elected governor and State House of Assembly have the constitutional authority to appoint its members.
IPAC’s directive to boycott the polls underscored the widespread belief that the elections were a continuation of undemocratic practices in the state.
Furthermore, the elections were held in defiance of legal challenges questioning their validity. A suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) sought to halt the polls, alleging that the published candidates were impostors and not the party’s authentic nominees.
Although a Rivers State High Court ruled on August 28, 2025, that there were no legal impediments to the elections, critics argue that the judiciary’s handling of the case was rushed and failed to address substantive constitutional concerns.
The decision to proceed with the elections under emergency rule also contradicts the precedent set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which postponed a by-election for the Khana II constituency due to the same emergency conditions.
Civil society groups have questioned why RSIEC was allowed to conduct local government elections when INEC deemed the environment unsuitable for credible polls. This inconsistency has fueled accusations that the elections were orchestrated to serve specific political interests rather than to restore democratic governance.
The elections were marked by alarmingly low voter turnout, particularly in Port Harcourt, where residents were seen engaging in street football and environmental sanitation rather than heading to polling units.
Many expressed disillusionment with the electoral process, with some describing voting as “meaningless” due to a lack of confidence in its fairness. In one polling unit in Ward 15, Echue Street, only a single vote was reportedly recorded, a stark indicator of the public’s disengagement.
Residents cited the predetermined nature of the outcome and a history of electoral manipulation as reasons for their apathy, with one individual stating that their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) was used solely for banking purposes.
The absence of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), a critical tool for ensuring transparency in Nigerian elections, further eroded trust in the process. Former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, dismissed concerns about the non-use of BVAS, claiming the elections were peaceful and successful.
However, critics argue that the lack of such safeguards undermines the credibility of the results and leaves room for manipulation.
Tonye Cole, a former APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, described the elections as “a setback for democracy,” arguing that it is inappropriate for a sole administrator to oversee such a critical democratic exercise.
Cole’s concerns echo those of many who see the elections as an attempt to entrench political control under the guise of restoring order. The rushed and poorly organized nature of the polls, coupled with the controversial appointment of RSIEC’s leadership, has led to accusations that the process was designed to favor certain political factions ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Civil society and residents have also accused the federal government of using the emergency rule to “capture” Rivers State’s political landscape.
A modified gazette dated July 22, 2025, which suspended key provisions of the RSIEC law, has been cited as evidence of a deliberate effort to manipulate the electoral process. Critics argue that the elections, rather than signaling a return to democratic normalcy, were a strategic move to consolidate power under emergency rule, further alienating the people of Rivers State.
As Rivers State approaches the September 18, 2025, expiration of the emergency rule, there is growing pressure on President Tinubu to restore democratic institutions and ensure that Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly resume their duties.
Residents and civil society groups have warned against any attempt to extend the emergency rule, arguing that it would further erode public trust and deepen the state’s political crisis.
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