By Jane Okeke
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has strongly condemned the recently conducted Local Government elections in Rivers State, describing them as a “brazen violation of the 1999 Constitution” and “an affront to democracy.”
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the coalition of over 70 civil society organisations faulted the conduct of the elections on August 30, 2025, insisting that they contravened Sections 5 and 305 of the Constitution which make no provision for polls during a subsisting State of Emergency.
“The recently conducted Local Government elections in Rivers State are unconstitutional,” the Situation Room declared. “If Local Government elections were truly imperative, would it not have been constitutionally proper to lift the State of Emergency before scheduling them? Why must the State of Emergency last the full six months when the events that triggered it have objectively abated?”
The group also raised alarm over the credibility of the process, pointing to inflated figures. It cited Obio-Akpor Local Government, where 328,823 votes were allegedly recorded — more than half of the total votes cast in the entire state during the 2023 presidential election.
“Images online showed low voter turnout, as many residents preferred to stay home rather than participate,” the statement noted, adding that the development “exposes the hypocrisy of politicians who claim to support local government autonomy while interfering in local politics.”
Situation Room recalled its earlier opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers, the removal of the duly elected governor and deputy, and the suspension of the State House of Assembly.
On April 8, 2025, the group had also condemned the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), for releasing previously withheld local government allocations, saying the funds were weaponised to undermine constitutionalism.
Despite persistent appeals, the group said the National Assembly has failed to act as a constitutional check. “The Legislature endorsed the President’s declaration of a State of Emergency and has remained silent in the face of blatant disregard for constitutional processes,” it lamented.
Situation Room drew parallels with the Jonathan-era insurgency emergency rule. “When President Goodluck Jonathan declared a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States in 2013, the then INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, categorically stated that elections would not hold to avoid contravening the law,” it reminded.
The coalition urged the Supreme Court to act swiftly on the pending case filed by 11 state governors challenging the Rivers State emergency rule. “The Judiciary is the last hope of the common man. We urge the Supreme Court to nullify the State of Emergency and declare all undemocratic activities carried out during the period, including the recent elections, null and void,” the statement said.
Calling on President Tinubu to “correct this anomaly” and respect the Constitution, Situation Room charged Rivers citizens, civil society organisations, and the media to “resist undemocratic tendencies and defend Nigeria’s Constitution.”
Situation Room Faults Rivers LG Polls, Says Constitution Under Siege
