The Defence For Human Rights And Democracy says it is undemocratic for the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) to hire or fire political appointees when the state still has a democratically elected governor that was only suspended by President Bola Tinubu on frivolities.
The reaction of DHRD came after Ibas sacked Dr Tammy Danagogo, who was serving as secretary to the state government in Fubara’s administration. A development that made the state’s Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke, resign.
Danagogo has been replaced by Prof. Ibibi Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government with immediate effect.
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Disagreeing with Ibas on whether he has the power to hire or fire any appointee for the state government, the National Chairman of DHRD, Comrade Clifford Christopher Solomon, told our correspondent that what is playing out in the state is undemocratic.
He said the sole administrator was sent by the president to stabilise peace in the state, urging Ibas to abstain from actions capable of further escalating the tension in the state.
According to Solomon, “The powers of the sole administrator in this instance are very restricted because we still have an elected governor who was suspended by the president. on frivolities.
“The status quo ought to remain and in this circumstance, the status quo is for all appointed officials to remain in office except they resign by themselves.
“The sole administrator should be balanced and not take sides in the affairs of Rivers State. He should not bring in favouritism that will further escalate crisis against the intention to which the president has appointed him as a sole administrator.”
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