|By Adejumo Adekunle-
One of Nigeria’s Niger Delta States, Rivers State—a land rich in resources and resilience—now finds itself ensnared in a political quagmire that threatens the very fabric of its democratic foundation. The recent appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising profound questions about constitutional legality, federal overreach, and the sanctity of democratic governance.
The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, delineates clear procedures for the removal or suspension of a state governor. Sections 180, 188, 189, and 306 outline the specific circumstances under which such actions can occur, none of which include the unilateral appointment of a sole administrator by the President. Legal experts and concerned citizens alike have decried this move as an unconstitutional usurpation of power. Drawn from family analogy a Yoruba proverb sends a strong warning, “Bi a ba fi owo otun ba omo wi, a fi owo osi fa a mo ra”—, this proverb in its literal sense means if the right hand chastises the child, the left should draw him closer. Yet, in this scenario, both hands seem to push the democratic child away.
The National Assembly, entrusted with the oversight of federal actions, has a constitutional duty to act as a check on executive power. While the Senate has approved the creation of a Joint Ad Hoc Committee to oversee the administration of Rivers State, the effectiveness and impartiality of this committee remain subjects of intense scrutiny. The invocation of Section 11(4) of the Constitution to justify this oversight raises concerns about the potential normalization of federal intervention in state affairs, setting a dangerous precedent for the erosion of state autonomy.
Since his appointment, Vice Admiral Ibas has taken sweeping actions, including the suspension of all political appointees in the state and the demand for comprehensive financial reports from local government administrations. These actions, executed without the consent of the state’s electorate or their representatives, have been met with widespread condemnation. A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has even issued an order restraining the Sole Administrator from appointing local government administrators, emphasizing the illegality of his overreach.
Prominent figures and organizations have voiced their opposition to this federal incursion. The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) USA has labeled the appointment of a sole administrator as both absurd and unjust, zooming in on the irony of a president with a contested mandate undermining democratic governance in Rivers State. Former Attorney General of Rivers State, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, has also criticized the move, asserting that the President lacks the constitutional authority to remove elected officials and appoint a sole administrator.
The situation in Rivers State is not merely a regional issue; it is a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles. The unilateral actions taken by the federal government undermine the sovereignty of the state and set a perilous precedent for the future. As another Yoruba proverb cautions, “Ti a ba n fi ete sile, a n pa lapalapa”—if we ignore ringworm, we risk dealing with leprosy. The erosion of democratic norms in one state can quickly spread, threatening the entire nation’s democratic health.
The appointment of a Sole Administrator in Rivers State represents a grave affront to Nigeria’s democratic ethos. It is imperative that all stakeholders—judiciary, legislature, civil society, and the citizenry—stand firm in defense of constitutional governance. The sanctity of the ballot, the rule of law, and the autonomy of states must be preserved to ensure that Nigeria remains a true federation where democracy thrives.
