The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has instructed all registered political parties to boycott the local government elections scheduled for August 30 in Rivers State. IPAC has deemed the election process illegal and unconstitutional, warning the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) against proceeding with the polls under emergency rule, which it describes as a mockery of democracy.
In a letter dated August 1, signed by IPAC National Chairman Dr. Yusuf Dantalle and Secretary Maxwell Mgbudem, the council stated that RSIEC is not legally constituted as its members should be appointed by an elected governor and the House of Assembly, both of which are currently suspended.
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IPAC emphasized that the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, was appointed to restore order in the state, not to conduct elections.
Reacting to the directive, IPAC Secretary in Rivers State, Benjamin Ogbogbula, stated that political party chairmen in the state are consulting with their national leadership regarding the boycott of the August 30 local government elections.
