The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticised what it describes as a calculated and unlawful erosion of democratic institutions in Rivers State, following recent actions allegedly carried out by the interim administrator appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd). The group accused the retired Naval chief of overstepping constitutional boundaries and engaging in activities that undermine the democratic will of the people of Rivers State.
In a statement released on Sunday by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group condemned the reported removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s official portraits from public offices across the state, describing the act as provocative and a blatant affront to democracy. Onwubiko likened the administrator’s conduct to “a bull in a China shop,” noting that his recent moves appear geared towards the dismantling of legally constituted democratic structures in the state.
According to HURIWA, the attempt by the interim administrator to exert control over a state already governed by a democratically elected and duly inaugurated governor amounts to a dangerous breach of constitutional order. The association reiterated that Governor Fubara remains the legitimate and sitting executive leader of Rivers State, having received the mandate of the people through the electoral process.
Comrade Onwubiko revealed that HURIWA, alongside 36 other registered civil society organisations, firmly rejects what it termed a “systematic power grab” being orchestrated under the guise of administrative intervention. He called on Vice Admiral Ibas to reconsider his role in the unfolding political situation in Rivers State and withdraw from what the group sees as an unconstitutional assignment.
The group further raised concerns over what it described as blatant disregard for judicial authority, citing the administrator’s alleged violation of an existing Federal High Court order barring him from installing unelected individuals as local government administrators. Despite the court’s ruling, HURIWA accused the administrator of going ahead to appoint individuals into these positions, undermining due process and legal norms.
HURIWA also condemned the sacking of serving officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, questioning the legal basis for removing members of a statutory commission whose tenure had not expired. Onwubiko said the appointment of a fresh set of officials into the electoral body by an unelected administrator was a clear violation of constitutional provisions and a deliberate subversion of electoral integrity in the state.
The organisation reiterated that Nigeria’s Constitution does not support the replacement of elected local government chairmen with unelected appointees, describing such actions as a “despicable violation of the will of the people.” It urged the people of Rivers State and democratic stakeholders across the country to resist what it views as a creeping return to authoritarianism under the guise of administrative restructuring.
HURIWA concluded by calling on Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to preserve his decades-long reputation as a disciplined and respected military officer by withdrawing from what the group termed a politically motivated and unconstitutional role that threatens democratic governance in the state.
