Rivers lawyer Cheta Nwala decries local elections under sole administrator, accuses President of unconstitutional overreach and bias
Rivers lawyer Cheta Nwala decries local elections under sole administrator, accuses President of unconstitutional overreach and bias
Lawyer and indigene of Rivers State, Cheta Nwala, has raised alarm over the political situation in the state, describing the conduct of upcoming local government elections as unconstitutional and orchestrated under what he calls a civilian dictatorship.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Nwala alleged that the President and the Sole Administrator of Rivers State had clearly suspended both the Nigerian constitution and state laws.
“What is happening in Rivers State today is an unusual situation. I think we have entered a full-blown military dictatorship, from the actions of Mr. President and the Sole Administrator, we have seen that the constitution of Nigeria and every law within this particular nation and within the state has been clearly suspended.”
According to Nwala, the local government law, which aligns with constitutional provisions, has been ignored. He claims the Sole Administrator has proceeded to set up a new electoral board, giving a 30-day notice to conduct elections an act previously ruled invalid by the Supreme Court.
“Recall that we had wasted millions and billions of Rivers’ resources to conduct previous elections that were annulled by the Supreme Court for not following the 90-day notice. Now we are repeating the same issues,” he said.He referenced a gazette seen online, dated July 22, 2025, where the President reportedly suspended parts of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2018.
Although he acknowledged seeing the document on social media and not having verified it directly, he insisted that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s comments corroborated it. “The Minister of FCT has alluded to the fact that the President has suspended sections of the Rivers State Electoral Commission law. That supports what I’ve seen on social media,” he added.
He questioned whether the state of emergency declared in Rivers gave the President or National Assembly the constitutional right to override state laws.
“The President is acting arbitrary and ultra vires the constitution of this land. If there’s a law inconsistent with the constitution, then the constitution prevails.”
He also accused the President of acting with bias against Rivers State. “This President has something against Rivers people. From the declaration of state of emergency after the Supreme Court had settled the political crisis to his continued actions, it’s clear there’s an agenda.”
Nwala expressed concern that the President ignored more dire situations in other states such as Benue and Plateau, choosing instead to single out Rivers for emergency powers.“There are states that truly need a state of emergency, but the President has been silent about them,” he said.
On the general sentiment in the state ahead of the elections scheduled for August 30, Nwala said most people are opposed to it.“A lot of people are not happy. Civil society organisations and political parties are withdrawing and approaching the courts. Some are calling it illegality.”
He accused the administration of hypocrisy, claiming it has engaged in actions it once condemned. “This government has done everything it criticised before. They do whatever they feel is right without recourse to our laws,” Nwala said.
Adding that Nigeria’s institutions, including the police and DSS, are not operating within legal bounds, further eroding public trust.
“You ask yourself, are we now under a full-blown military dictatorship? If the President has declared himself a civilian dictator, let him come out and say so.”
He concluded with criticism of the judiciary.“Our courts are not helping matters either. They’ve been silent in the face of these constitutional breaches.”
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