NADECO Demands Resignation Of ‘Illegal Administrator’ Ibas In Rivers State, Calls For Mass Rejection From Nigerians
The pro-democracy organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President/Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd F. Ukwu, in Washington DC, USA.
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) has issued a strong call for the immediate resignation of what it described as an “illegal administrator” imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
The pro-democracy organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President/Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd F. Ukwu, in Washington DC, USA.
The organisation asked the people of Rivers State to stand firm and categorically reject any attempt to undermine their democratically elected leadership.
NADECO argued that Nigeria operates as a federation, with Rivers State maintaining its sovereignty within the union.
The organisation condemned President Tinubu’s unconstitutional move to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, asserting that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally remove an elected leader.
“Rivers State is not a subordinate institution, nor is it a high school where Tinubu can act as principal and suspend an elected governor at will,” the statement read.
The organisation further contended that Tinubu’s presidency itself remains under a cloud of legitimacy concerns due to alleged electoral irregularities in the 2023 general elections.
NADECO reaffirmed that sovereignty belongs to the people, not to an unelected administrator or “a would-be civilian dictator in Abuja.”
It insisted that government legitimacy stems from the people’s consent, obtained through free and fair elections.
The organisation reminded the public that Governor Fubara was duly elected in 2023, and any attempt to replace him with an unelected figure is both unconstitutional and unacceptable.
“The current administrator is an imposter and a usurper, lacking any mandate from the people,” the statement added.
NADECO further questioned the loyalty of the imposed administrator, alleging that he serves political figures in Abuja rather than the people of Rivers State.
“Who does this administrator serve? Who does he represent? His allegiance lies with Tinubu, Akpabio, Kereke Ekun, and Wike —not with the citizens of Rivers,” the statement declared.
NADECO emphasised that the principle of “Power to the People” is enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights laws, including the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It called for an uncompromising rejection of the imposed administrator and demanded his immediate resignation.
Despite its strong stance, NADECO urged Rivers residents to remain peaceful in their resistance, emphasizing their constitutional right to protest against what it described as a political imposition.
However, the organisation warned that when democratic institutions fail and judicial redress becomes impossible, people have the inherent right to resist oppression.
“History has shown that when leaders trample on the will of the people, resistance is inevitable. Rivers people must stand firm and soundly reject this illegal administrator,” the statement noted.
NADECO’s call for action marks a significant escalation in the political crisis surrounding Rivers State, as tensions rise over governance and constitutional authority in Nigeria’s federal system.
