A fresh wave of panic has gripped Rivers State amidst allegations that the newly appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), plans to appoint administrators to head the 23 local government areas. This move is reportedly backed by President Bola Tinubu, who tasked Ibas with setting up a leadership system at the local government level.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Sources close to the development have expressed concerns that this move violates the Nigerian Constitution and a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the autonomy of local governments. The judgment reiterated that local governments must be governed by elected officials, not handpicked appointees.
Critics argue that appointing administrators would disregard democratic principles and subvert the will of the people. Moreover, allegations suggest that the appointments would favor a prominent political figure in the state, sparking fears of an orchestrated attempt to undermine democracy.
The opposition is planning a showdown once the appointments are made, which could escalate into a crisis in the local government system. This move could set a dangerous precedent for executive overreach, prompting concerns about the future of grassroots democracy.
As the situation unfolds, Nigerians are urged to remain vigilant against this unconstitutional maneuver. The next 24 hours will be crucial in determining whether democracy prevails or is compromised.