The United States Chapter of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has called on the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) to resign immediately.
NADECO in a statement issued by Lloyd F. Ukwu, it’s president general, wondered how President Bola Tinubu whose presidency remains under a cloud of illegitimacy could remove a legally and duly elected governor of Rivers State, Mr. Sim Fubara.
Ukwu noted that Tinubu lacks the constitutional authority to unilaterally suspend an elected governor like Fubara.
The statement reads, “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.
“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.
“Sovereignty Belongs to the People:
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.
“The people of Rivers State exercised their democratic right in 2023 by electing Siminalayi Fubara as their governor. They did not choose an imposed administrator. NADECO therefore demands the immediate resignation of this illegitimate appointee.
“True democracy requires that governance be rooted in the people’s will, expressed through free and fair elections. The current administrator is an imposter and a usurper, lacking any mandate from the people. NADECO calls on Rivers people to unequivocally reject him.
“Who Does This Administrator Serve? Who does he represent?
“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.
“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.
“A Final Appeal for Peaceful Resistance and Rejection of the Illegal Administrator:
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.”
