“Rivers LG Poll’s Umpire Lacks Authority To Conduct Elections” – ADC

The African Democratic Congress has said it will not take part in the local government election slated for August 30, 2025, describing the build-up to the poll as a charade.

Also, the party said the administrator appointed to oversee the affairs of the state lacked the constitutional authority to conduct any election for the Rivers people.

This comes as the Rotimi Amaechi faction of the All Progressives Congress in the state accused the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission of creating its own rules.

The faction said the electoral commission had not contacted the Emeke Beke-led party leadership, which is recognised by the court.

The state Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Luckyman Egila, speaking at a news briefing in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, said the Administrator, Vice Adm Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), currently occupied the Government House illegally and lacked the constitutional powers to conduct any election.

“The African Democratic Congress, Rivers State chapter, will not be participating in the selection process that is going on in Rivers State, because an election is not taking place in Rivers State.

“Rivers State is presently under martial law. When you are under emergency rule, you want to come and conduct elections, but I don’t know how.