An elder statesman, Professor Olu-Andah Wai-Ogosu, has described as offensive and a terrible error the confirmation of Mr. Michael Odey from Cross River State as the Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, Professor Wai-Ogosu, who explained that the declaration of a state of emergency and the confirmation of Mr. Odey as RSIEC Chairman by the Senate are clear constitutional breaches and unacceptable, wondered why Rivers State representatives at the National Assembly should be silent over the anomalies.
He said, “We have people in the National Assembly and nobody has even raised a formidable voice that all these actions are not democratic at all, now they will appoint a non-indigene again to come and conduct the Local Government Election that is not acceptable by any standard”.
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While emphasising that the laws are clear on which electoral body should conduct local government elections and other elections in the country, the elder statesman said it is an aberration for someone from Cross River State to preside over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
Professor Wai-Ogosu, who noted that there was no justification for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, said the declaration has not achieved the desired purpose.
Professor Wai-Ogosu urged Human Rights groups to speak against the constitutional infractions in Rivers State and challenge such infractions in court.
