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Daniel Adaji
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) USA has called for the immediate resignation of the “illegal administrator” imposed on Rivers State, declaring the appointment undemocratic and unconstitutional.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, NADECO USA’s President and CEO, Lloyd Ukwu, described the current political situation in Rivers as a blatant violation of Nigeria’s democratic principles.
He argued that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, lacks the authority to suspend an elected governor and replace him with an unelected official.
“Nigeria operates as a federation, and Rivers State is a sovereign entity within it. As President, Tinubu lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally suspend an elected governor like Fubara. Rivers State is not a subordinate institution, neither is it a High School and Tinubu is not its overseer and not the Principal of a high school who can suspend a student willy-nilly,” Ukwu stated.
He further questioned the legitimacy of Tinubu’s presidency, arguing that it was built on a contested electoral process.
“To be clear, his own presidency remains under a cloud of illegitimacy, having been declared the winner by INEC despite widespread irregularities and disputes over the election’s credibility. It is both absurd and unjust for a president whose mandate is contested to attempt the removal of a legally and duly elected governor. The irony is glaring—a leader accused of electoral fraud seeking to undermine democratic governance in Rivers State,” he said.
NADECO emphasised that the ultimate authority in a democracy rests with the people, not with political elites in Abuja. Ukwu stressed that Rivers residents had already exercised their democratic right by electing Siminalayi Fubara as governor in 2023 and had not chosen an imposed administrator.
“In a democracy, sovereignty resides with the citizens, not with an unelected administrator or an aspiring autocrat or want-to-be civilian dictator in Abuja. Governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed—leaders are entrusted with the power to serve the people, not to rule over them by imposing an administrator over them,” he added.
Asserting that the newly appointed official lacked legitimacy, NADECO issued a direct demand:
“NADECO therefore demands the immediate resignation of this illegitimate appointee.”
Ukwu questioned the allegiance of the imposed administrator, arguing that he does not represent the interests of Rivers people.
“This imposed administrator is accountable not to Rivers people but to Tinubu, Akpabio, Kereke Ekun, and Wike. His allegiance lies with these political actors, not with the citizens he claims to govern,” he said.
Referencing constitutional and international democratic principles, NADECO reiterated that the will of the people must be respected.
“The principle of ‘Power to the People’ is enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights instruments, including the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Upholding this principle, NADECO insists that Rivers people must completely and resolutely reject this illegal administrator, forcing his resignation. Anything less is unacceptable,” the statement read.
While denouncing the imposition of the administrator, NADECO urged Rivers residents to engage in peaceful and lawful resistance against what it described as an unjust government action.
“NADECO urges the people of Rivers State to remain peaceful and law-abiding in their lawful pursuit of their constitutionally protected right to protest in the face of injustice. However, history reminds us that when a government tramples on the rights of the people and renders judicial redress impossible, as is the case now in Nigeria, the people retain the inherent right to resist oppression,” he said.