INCRA COMMENDS RIVERS APC CHAIRMAN OVER HIS STANCE AGAINST THE PROPOSED ILLEGAL RSIEC LG POLLS

The Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, INCRA, a Pan-Rivers Media Group in Rivers State, lauds the Rivers State APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, over his firm stance against the proposed illegal  Local Government elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.

Dr. Ikanya, during a Stakeholders' meeting convened by RSIEC at its office in Port Harcourt, expressed dismay at Governor Wike's prodding of RSIEC to conduct LG polls even while the case is sub judice and stands adjourned till March 27, 2018 by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Dr. Ikanya did not fail to prove his mettle by walking out of the sham Stakeholders' meeting where the RSIEC authorities attempted to infringe on his right to express himself and gag him from speaking up against the inappropriateness of their decision to conduct LG polls - a weird condition to which the River State Chairman of the PDP, Bro. Felix Obuah, readily acceded to.

Recall that the elected Local Government Council Chairmen and Councillors are currently in Court challenging their unlawful sack by Governor Wike, being sub judice, it is unlawful for Governor Wike and his RSIEC to conduct LG polls until the case has been concluded in Court such that all available and possible legal windows have been exhausted or waived by the parties involved. The only Local Government Council in Rivers State where RSIEC can legally conduct elections is Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema, anything short of this is a grand deceit and a deliberate act to undermine the Court and judicial system of the land.

It is disgusting to think that the Governor who is a Barrister by learning and should be in the know about the judicial implications of RSIEC conducting any polls at this time, is the one encouraging the Commission to go ahead to conduct LG polls. It is either Governor Wike has concluded arrangements for judgment to be in his favour or he is deliberately using the proposed LG polls to siphon funds ahead of 2019, otherwise, we do not see any reason why the Governor would  embark on such rascality and wild goose chase knowing fully well that it is not tenable when viewed through both legal and moral compass.

We have no iota of trust and confidence on the present RSIEC leadership. It is our considered opinion that the Commission is not properly constituted and can not conduct any credible polls at the moment. The Commission is presently at best, structured to perform Governor Wike's bidding and defend his interest only. The Governor and his RSIEC are therefore, reminded that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is supreme and must be obeyed at every instance, hence, RSIEC lacks the power to conduct any elections until the Court exercises its full adjudicatory rights over the case or pronounces a judgment on the matter.

INCRA,
Ubima, Rivers State.

March 15, 2018.