ADC Drags Rivers Sole Administrator, RSIEC, to Court Over “Illegal” Appointments, Demands N10m

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has filed a lawsuit at the Rivers State High Court challenging the powers of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, over the constitution of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) board and the release of a revised timetable for local government elections.

The case, filed at the Port Harcourt Judicial Division under suit number PHC/3126/CS/2025, lists Ibas, the Rivers State Government, the Attorney-General of Rivers State, and RSIEC as defendants.

The opposition party, represented by G.C. Chinda & Co., is asking the court to determine whether a sole administrator—who is not an elected governor—has the constitutional authority to nominate or appoint members of RSIEC. According to ADC, such powers are vested exclusively in an elected governor under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2018.

ADC is also seeking the nullification of the revised election timetable issued by the newly constituted RSIEC board, arguing that it contravenes Section 20(1)(a)(iii) and (b) of the RSIEC law.

In its filings, the party described Ibas’ actions as an unconstitutional usurpation of executive powers, noting:

“A declaration that the purported nomination, appointment, constitution, and presentation of the purported members of the Board of the 4th Defendant on the 09/05/2025, by the 1st Defendant, contrary to the exclusive powers, duties, and functions conferred on the Executive Governor of Rivers State, under sections 197 (1) & (3) and 198 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and Section 2 (2) of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2018, is unlawful, null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”

The party further demanded that the court nullify all actions carried out by the newly inaugurated RSIEC board, including election preparations, and grant a perpetual injunction restraining Ibas from exercising powers reserved for an elected governor.

ADC also asked for ₦10 million in general and aggravated damages against the defendants.

The legal battle marks the latest flashpoint in Rivers State politics following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to install Ibas as sole administrator after dissolving elected government structures. The move has sparked heated debates, with opposition parties and civic groups warning that continued violations of constitutional provisions risk undermining democracy and deepening political instability in the state.