The Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups (CIIG) has renewed the call for an immediate restoration of civil rule in Rivers State, insisting that the state of emergency foisted on the state is unconstitutional and a rape of democracy.

In a statement yesterday jointly signed by Efiye Bribena, Denzil Kentebe, Ben Okoro, Ms Annkio Briggs, Elaye Otrofanowei and other representatives of different Ijaw interest bodies, the group condemned the imposition of a sole administrator on Rivers State, urging the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government to restore constitutional governance in the state without further delay.

It noted that it sees “the brazen suspension of the entire apparatus of government (the elected Governor, State House of Assembly members and consequently the appointees of government of Rivers State) through the unconstitutional declaration of a ‘State of Emergency’ by President Bola Tinubu as ‘overthrowing’ the mandate of the people and the legitimate and democratically elected government of the state.”

The group said it aligns itself with the strident voice of prominent citizens like Mr Atedo Peterside, Ms Ann Kio Briggs, Dame Donu Kogbara, and the Rivers elders, who had rightly demanded an immediate halt to this illegality.

“We also acknowledge and celebrate the indomitable spirit of the various women’s groups that make up the ‘Rivers Women Unite for Sim’. These women with hearts of lions have continually resisted the illegitimate Sole Administrator in Rivers State since the unconstitutional swearing-in at Abuja by the President,” it said.