The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, yesterday, inaugurated the Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC).

He also swore in members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC), Rivers State Local Government Service Commission (RSLGSC), and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) at Government House, Port Harcourt.

A statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Media, Rivers State Government, Hector Igbikiowubo, said Ibas charged the board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the state.

He emphasised that such commitment was critical to stabilising governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in Rivers.

Addressing the chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that would reflect the will of the people.

MEANWHILE, a lawyer and public interest advocate, Mr Courage Nsirimovu, has informed the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), that he has no powers to constitute and inaugurate boards.

Reacting to the development in Port Harcourt yesterday, Nsirimovu warned that Ibas’s action may trigger litigations and fresh chaos in the state.

According to him, Ibas should avoid actions that may awaken a crisis in the state and should not indulge in what he has no power to do.

He said: “Ibas does not have constitutional powers to constitute the RISIEC board and others; it is only an elected governor of the state that has the power, through the State Assembly, to constitute and inaugurate boards and commissions.”

He also condemned the docility of the people of Rivers State, stating that Ibas’s actions so far should have propelled the people into the streets to demand the right thing to be done.

Nsirimovu pointed out that section 7, subsection 1 of the Constitution gave clear and specific details on the establishment of the local government commission.

He, however, opined that they are already in court contesting the issue of the state of emergency and actions by Ibas.