Rivers LG Polls: ‘It’s Illegal, IPAC Fumes Insists Political Parties Will Not Participate
The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC has announced that political parties under its platform will not participate in the August 30, 2025 Local Government elections Rivers State.
IPAC said the election is illegal and unconstitutional and a mockery of Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that only an elected Governor has the power to conduct such election.
IPAC pointed out that the state of emergency declared in Rivers State was to contain the protracted political crisis and restore peace and order in the state and not to conduct democratic elections.
A statement signed by IPAC National chairman, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said, “the Sole administrator is not an emperor with absolute power to rule.
“It’s illegal, unconstitutional and a mockery of our emerging democracy. It’s unacceptable and should be rejected by all lovers of constitutional governance in Nigeria,”
“The Sole Administrator has no constitutional mandate to conduct a democratic election as if the nation is under a military regime. Only an elected governor has the constitutional power to conduct a local government election in collaboration with the State House of Assembly.
“The Sole Administrator cannot arrogate to himself powers in flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“The state of emergency was declared to contain the protracted political crises and restore peace and order in Rivers State.
“The Sole Administrator is not an Emperor with absolute power to rule as he pleases.”
IPAC said it has directed all political parties not to participate in what it described as a charade and sham local government election in Rivers State.
“Gathering political hirelings who claimed to be chairmen of their political parties in Rivers State to endorse the conduct of the purported local government election smacks of desperation by the sole administrator. Fake State Chairmen cannot give legitimacy to gross illegality, unconstitutionality and abuse of Office,” it added.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
