CHRAN CALLS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF RIVERS STATE LG ELECTIONS
A pro-democracy cum human rights organisation in Nigeria, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has called for the postponement of the Rivers State Local Government Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, 30th August, 2025.
The CHRAN through its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, made the call while speaking on ADBN television programme on Monday, 25th August, 2025, noting that the processes leading to the elections violated the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), thus the outcome will produce council officials without legitimacy.
Speaking further, Comrade Isong stated that Section 197(1)(b), Section 197(2) and Paragraph I, Part II of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) have been violated in the process of the exercise.
Isong reiterated the earlier position of CHRAN on the imposition of a State of Emergency Rule in Rivers state, maintaining that Section 305 and Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) were violated by President Bola Tinubu by suspending the elected Governor, Deputy Governor and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly – apparently suspending democratic institutions in the state.
He viewed the scheduled council polls as a waste of Rivers taxpayers money as there are sufficient grounds for the court to nullify the outcome of the elections.