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CSOs Slam Planned Rivers LG Polls as Illegal, Demand Immediate Halt and Restoration of Elected Governor
CSOs Slam Planned Rivers LG Polls as Illegal, Demand Immediate Halt and Restoration of Elected Governor
By:Michael Mike
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has strongly condemned the planned local government elections in Rivers State, describing the move by the state’s Sole Administrator and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as unconstitutional, illegitimate, and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
At a joint press conference held in Abuja, The Alliance of Civil Society Organisations for Expansion of Electoral and Democratic Space (ACCESS) and Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI) called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, and President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and halt the scheduled August 30, 2025, elections.
The coalition’s spokesperson, Engr. Kenneth Eze, who also serves as the Executive Director of Speak Out Africa Initiative, described the proposed polls as “a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic framework and a clear violation of both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.”
“This is a joke taken too far. The imposition of a Sole Administrator in place of an elected governor is not just illegal, it is void ab initio. Now, an illegal administrator wants to conduct an election? That is a rape on our democracy,” Eze stated.
According to the coalition, the RSIEC’s announcement to conduct the LG polls violates Section 150(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires that local government elections be held not earlier than 90 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the previous office holders. The 21-day notice given by RSIEC—from July 28 to August 30—falls far short of this legal threshold.
The group cited the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling that nullified the October 2024 local government elections in Rivers for similar procedural violations, including inadequate notice and failure to update the voters’ register. They warned that RSIEC appears to be on the same unconstitutional path again.
“Any election conducted by a government established on shaky legal grounds is dead on arrival. It will not withstand legal scrutiny, it will waste taxpayers’ money, destabilize the state further, and deepen public mistrust in democratic institutions,” Eze warned.
The coalition further criticised the federal government’s silence four months after declaring a controversial state of emergency in the state, which led to the removal of the elected governor and the appointment of a Sole Administrator—an act they claim lacks constitutional basis.
ACCESS and SOAI urged President Tinubu to immediately lift the state of emergency and reinstate the democratically elected governor to restore constitutional order and rebuild trust in governance.
“Democracy must be protected, not trampled. Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution is clear: No part of the Federation shall be governed except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution,” the group said.
They concluded by demanding the immediate suspension of preparations for the August 30 elections, calling on INEC, the courts, and all relevant stakeholders to defend the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy and ensure Rivers State returns to constitutional governance.
CSOs Slam Planned Rivers LG Polls as Illegal, Demand Immediate Halt and Restoration of Elected Governor
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Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara
Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Zamfara State have arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Mannir Adam, for allegedly transporting 800 rounds of AK-47 ammunition concealed in the fuel tank of a motorcycle.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, a resident of Yankuzo village in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, was intercepted at about 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday along the Gusau–Funtua highway.

He was arrested at a security checkpoint in Yankara while riding a red Boxer motorcycle.
According to the sources, a search conducted by the operatives led to the discovery of 800 rounds of live ammunition for an AK-47 rifle, which had been carefully hidden inside the motorcycle’s fuel tank.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly picked up the ammunition from the Bawa area in Saminaka Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He was reportedly transporting the ammunition to Kucheri village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where it was suspected to be destined for armed bandits operating in the area.
Security sources described the arrest as a major breakthrough in efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups terrorising communities in Zamfara and neighbouring states.

The suspect is currently in custody while further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the network involved in the illegal arms supply chain.
Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara
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Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau
Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Plateau has arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms during an intelligence-led operation in Jos North Local Government Area.
Police sources said the suspects were arrested on March 9 at about 9:15 p.m. by a team of operatives acting on credible intelligence.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Yakmoe of Angwan Rukuba and Alfred Song of Furaka Junction, both residents of Jos North.
According to police, a locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly robbed one Nandi Budadi Taki of his iPhone 16 Pro Max at gunpoint.
Further investigation led to the recovery of an additional Beretta pistol from Yakmoe at his residence in Angwan Rukuba.
Police said the suspects had confessed to the crime, adding that discreet investigation was ongoing.
The command also said efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the robbery syndicate and recover additional weapons.
Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau
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Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
By Ayo Ajayi
In times of institutional uncertainty, leadership is often tested not by comfort but by crisis. At the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Abuja, such a moment emerged amid internal tensions and the spread of misinformation among sections of the workforce. At the centre of this storm stood the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Lucky Ikharo, whose calm disposition and administrative experience have helped steady the institution through turbulent waters.
For many within the Commission, the period has been marked by a mix of rumours, misrepresentation, and what some observers describe as half-baked narratives circulating among staff who may not be fully informed about the workings of the system. In such an atmosphere, maintaining discipline, order, and institutional focus requires more than routine administration—it demands patience, clarity of purpose, and steady leadership.
Dr. Ikharo has sought to provide exactly that. Known among colleagues for his methodical approach to public service administration, he has remained focused on ensuring that the Commission continues to function effectively despite the distractions created by internal disagreements and misinformation.
His journey within the National Assembly bureaucracy reflects years of dedication to institutional development.
Dr. Ikharo joined the National Assembly Service Commission in 2002 as an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer. Through diligence and professional commitment, he steadily rose through the ranks of the public service, eventually attaining the position of Director in 2017.
Dr Lucky Ikharo was among the pioneer staff members entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the Commission’s Meeting Secretariat, a role he diligently handled for over nine years. In that capacity, he played a critical role in ensuring the smooth organization and documentation of the Commission’s high-level deliberations.
Following this period, Dr. Ikharo broadened his administrative horizon by serving in various departments within the Commission. These experiences exposed him to the diverse operational dynamics of the institution and helped shape his deep understanding of its administrative processes.
Dr. Ikharo serves as the Secretary to the Commission. His journey through different strategic units of the organisation has positioned him well for the role, affirming the popular saying that he is indeed a round peg in a round hole.
Over the years, he has held several strategic positions within the Commission. Between 2017 and 2019, he served as Director of Promotions, Discipline and Appeals, a role that placed him at the heart of staff management and administrative justice within the organisation. He later served as Director of Procurement and General Services from 2019 to 2020, overseeing critical operational and procurement processes of the Commission.
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Ikharo is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), reflecting his commitment to professional development and capacity building in public service.Observers say his leadership style is defined by calm engagement rather than confrontation. At a time when rumours and internal tensions threaten to distract the Commission from its statutory mandate, his stewardship has focused on maintaining stability, reinforcing administrative procedures, and ensuring that the institution continues to carry out its responsibilities to the legislature and the Nigerian public.
Indeed, leadership within public institutions often unfolds quietly, away from public applause. Yet it is precisely in such moments of internal turbulence that the character of a public administrator becomes most visible. For Dr. Lucky Ikharo, the challenge has been to keep the Commission steady, demonstrating that experience, patience, and commitment to institutional integrity remain essential pillars of effective public service leadership.
Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
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