Rivers PDP Ward Chairmen Warn Sole Administrator Against Unconstitutional Appointments, Cite Supreme Court Rulings
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Coordinator of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Chairmen Forum in Rivers State, Comrade Collins Wobo Chukwu, has issued a stern warning to the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas Ekwe (rtd), demanding an immediate halt to what he described as unconstitutional and illegal appointments into local government councils.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Sole Administrator and titled “Re: Illegality of Your Actions As Sole Administrator – A Call To Immediately Halt Unconstitutional Appointments,” Comrade Wobo Chukwu condemned the actions as an affront to democratic principles, the Nigerian Constitution, and recent binding judgments of the Supreme Court.
The PDP ward leaders expressed dismay over what they described as the unlawful endorsement of individuals to oversee local governments without electoral mandate, asserting that such actions are not only null and void but constitute a brazen violation of Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the system of local government by democratically elected councils.
“The Supreme Court in Attorney-General of Abia State v. Attorney-General of the Federation (SC/CV/343/2023) made it clear that the appointment of unelected persons to administer local governments is unconstitutional and cannot be tolerated in a democratic setting,” the letter stated.
The letter also referenced Justice Akomaye Agim’s emphatic ruling against the use of caretaker committees, noting that such practices erode democratic structures and amount to contempt of court.
Comrade Wobo Chukwu further accused the Sole Administrator of flouting the legislative authority of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, whom the Supreme Court has affirmed as the lawful Speaker. He said the administrator’s refusal to implement laws duly passed by the Assembly constitutes “a dangerous defiance of the rule of law.”
The PDP Ward Chairmen Forum issued three key demands: an immediate stop to all appointments made under the authority of the Sole Administrator, public withdrawal of all unconstitutional directives issued, and full compliance with the rulings of the Supreme Court and provisions of the Constitution.
“This letter serves as a formal protest and warning. Should these unconstitutional actions continue, we will have no choice but to pursue all available legal and political remedies to defend the democratic rights of the people,” the letter concluded.
Comrade Wobo Chukwu called on Vice Admiral Ekwe to align his actions with the Constitution and stand on the side of history by upholding democratic values in Rivers State.
