Rivers Administrator in Hot Water Over Unilateral LGA Appointments

Court Slams Rivers Administrator With Summons Over Controversial LGA Appointments

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered the Rivers State Administrator to appear and explain why the court should not grant an injunction to stop the ongoing appointment of Sole Administrators across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.

The move came after a legal challenge was filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative and its Coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu. They argued that the state’s latest move threatens democracy and bypasses due process. And now, the court is demanding answers.

On Monday, April 7, 2025, Honourable Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed ruled that the Administrator must “show cause” why the court shouldn’t intervene. He stressed the importance of fairness and constitutional order, signaling that the matter is far from a mere political squabble.

The legal fire was lit by an ex-parte motion—an urgent request brought by the applicants without notifying the other party in advance. Their core demand? To restrain the Rivers State Administrator and all affiliated agents from installing Sole Administrators into the local councils, an action they argue violates the spirit of participatory governance.

Justice Mohammed didn’t waste time. He ordered that the Administrator be put on notice. He also fixed the next hearing for April 14, 2025, setting the stage for what could become a high-stakes courtroom showdown with far-reaching consequences for local government administration in the state.

The applicants’ lawyer, A. O. Imiete, pushed the court to act swiftly. He submitted a written address and formally adopted it, urging the court to halt the appointments pending a full hearing. Interestingly, the Administrator—or any representative from his office—was nowhere to be seen during the hearing. That silence is loud in a matter this sensitive.

This case is happening at a time when Rivers State is politically on edge. For weeks, local governance has been in limbo as state officials scramble to impose Sole Administrators instead of allowing the democratic process to run its course. Critics call the move unconstitutional and say it sidelines the will of the people.

Legal and political analysts alike are watching this case closely.

The court’s next ruling could shape the future of how local governments operate in Rivers. If the injunction is granted, it may force the state to either conduct local government elections or risk deeper political and legal backlash.

According to case records, this legal battle—filed under the reference FHC/PH/CS/46/2025—has caught the attention of civic groups, legal practitioners, and governance watchdogs nationwide. Some fear that if not checked, the trend could spread to other states looking for ways to bypass democratic institutions.

The real issue here goes beyond appointments. It’s about whether those in power can sideline elections and handpick those who control grassroots governance. For many Rivers residents, this is not just a legal fight — it’s a struggle for democracy itself.

As April 14 draws near, anticipation builds. Will the court grant the injunction and freeze the appointments? Or will the state press on with its controversial approach?

For now, one thing is clear — the Rivers State Administrator has some explaining to do.