By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

A pro-democracy coalition, Alliance of Civil Society Organisations for Expansion of Electoral and Democratic Space (ACCESS), has called for the immediate suspension of the local government elections in Rivers, slated for Aug. 30.

The pro-democracy group, in a statement issued by its Spokesperson, Kenneth Eze, in Abuja on Tuesday, described the election as unconstitutional and a rape on democracy.

Eze said that the notice for the election issued by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) fell short of the legal requirement that led to the nullification of the initial elections in the state.

“The announcement by RSIEC to conduct LG elections on August 30th, outrightly violates Section 150(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“The session mandates that: ‘Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, every local government election shall be conducted, not earlier than 90 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office’.

“RSIEC’s 21-day notice from July 28 to Aug. 30 falls short of this 90-day minimum requirement, thereby invalidating the planned elections.

“This is the same reason the Supreme Court nullified the Oct. 2024 local government elections in Rivers — citing inadequate notice, non-updated voter registers and procedural violations,’’ he said.

Eze stated that the apex court, in its Feb. 28 ruling, reaffirmed that RSIEC must strictly adhere to constitutional and statutory electoral timelines.

The spokesperson, who is also the Executive Director of Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI), said that the court held that failure to comply with the 90-day notice provision rendered the October 2024 local government elections invalid and unlawful.

“This precedent is directly applicable to the Aug. 30 elections and forms a compelling legal basis for disqualification of the process,’’ he said.

Eze also appealed President Bola Tinubu to suspend the state of emergency in Rivers and restore Gov. Siminalayi Fubara back in office, in line with Section 1(2) of the constitution.

He also called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary to intervene and uphold constitutional order in the state.

Eze expressed the coalition’s commitment to the expansion of democratic space and promotion of the rule of law.

He maintained that any election conducted under the sole administrator would not stand the test of legal scrutiny. (NAN)