Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the appointment of a sole administrator to oversee local government affairs in Rivers State, describing the arrangement as unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.
In a statement on Saturday via his X handle, Atiku likened the situation to “helping put out the fire in your neighbour’s house to safeguard against your house being torched,” warning that the ongoing crisis could have nationwide implications.
“I agree that what is playing out in Rivers State, with an illegal sole administrator, unknown to our constitution, conducting council elections, has implications for the rest of the country. I join other men and women of goodwill to condemn this absurdity unequivocally,” Atiku said.
The former PDP presidential candidate was reacting to a post by business leader and founder of ANAP Foundation, Atedo Peterside, who disclosed that he had joined some Rivers elders to publish a newspaper advert calling for an end to the sole administrator arrangement.
Peterside, in his post, stressed that the issue was not just about Rivers State but about protecting Nigeria’s democratic principles.
“This is not about Rivers State alone. This is more about FG ensuring that they do not inadvertently undermine democracy in Nigeria while using Rivers State as a test case.
Enough is enough of this sole administrator with no mandate.” Peterside wrote, tagging President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the National Assembly.
The development comes amid rising political tension in Rivers State over the legality of the sole administrator’s role, with critics insisting that it violates constitutional provisions on local government administration.