A non-governmental organisation, the Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership, has dragged the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Attorney General, and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission before a state High Court presided over by Justice Else Thompson, over the proposed August 30 local government elections.
The group, led by Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Chizi Enyi, in an originating summons, is asking the court to determine whether the Sole Administrator, who is the 1st defendant and not the Governor of Rivers State, can lawfully and/or validly exercise the duties and powers conferred on the Governor under Sections 176(1) and (2), 197(1) and (3), and 198 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), particularly concerning the appointment of the Board Members of the RSIEC.
The claimants are also seeking a declaration that “the purported nomination, appointment, constitution and presentation of the purported members of the Board of the 4th Defendant (RSIEC) by the 1st Defendant, contrary to the exclusive powers, duties and functions conferred on the Executive Governor of Rivers State, under the sections of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), is unlawful, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
In suit number PHC/2293/CS/2025, the claimants are equally seeking an order of the court setting aside the said nomination, appointment, constitution, and presentation of the RSIEC Board members allegedly made in May 2025 by the Sole Administrator, as well as all actions carried out by the said board, including preparations for the local government elections.
The group is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant “by himself, privies, agents, assigns, administrators and/or howsoever so named,” from further usurping the exclusive powers of the Governor.
In addition, they prayed the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants “by themselves, privies, agents, assigns, administrators and/or howsoever so named,” from giving effect to or recognizing the purported nomination, appointment, and constitution made by the 1st Defendant about the RSIEC Board.
Furthermore, the group is demanding that the court direct the defendants to pay the sum of ten million naira to the claimants as general and aggravated damages.
According to court documents obtained by our reporter, the defendants are expected to enter an appearance in the matter filed by Barr. Enyi and the Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership within 21 days of receiving the summons.