A civil society group, the Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration (FREECON), has filed a suit at the Federal High Court challenging the legality of the August 30, 2025 local government elections in Rivers State.
Those joined in the suit include President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Rivers State Sole Administrator, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), and its Chairman.
FREECON is seeking an interlocutory injunction to stop RSIEC and its officials from conducting the polls in the 23 LGAs of the state. The group also wants the court to restrain the electoral body from issuing further election-related notices or distributing electoral materials—whether physically or electronically—until the case is determined.
Legal Arguments
At Monday’s hearing, counsel to FREECON, Amegua Lezina, argued that the court must determine whether Sections 197 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) give the President any authority to create or appoint a Sole Administrator who, in turn, assumes the constitutional duties of the state governor in appointing the RSIEC chairman and members.
Lezina further maintained that the office of the Sole Administrator, currently held by retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, is unconstitutional and therefore cannot lawfully oversee or appoint members of the state electoral body.
He described the arrangement as “a child born out of illegality”, insisting that his client was in court to ensure the constitution was upheld.
Defendants’ Objection
However, counsel to the defendants, Olumede Oluji, SAN, protested in court, claiming that some of his clients had not been properly served with the case documents. He therefore requested additional time to regularize service and file a response.
Justice Turaki Mohammed, presiding over the matter, directed that the processes be served directly on the defendants’ counsel and adjourned the case to September 3, 2025, allowing seven days for responses.
While Lezina addressed journalists after the sitting, reiterating that the Sole Administrator’s office lacks legal backing, counsel to the defendants, Oluji, declined to comment on the proceedings.
