Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has criticized the Federal Government for permitting the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, to attend the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.
Ibas was present at the 149th NEC meeting in Abuja on Thursday, which was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
During a press conference on Friday, Falana condemned Ibas’s attendance, stating that it violated the Nigerian Constitution.
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According to Falana, there is no constitutional basis for a Sole Administrator to participate in such a significant meeting.
He explained, “During the NEC meeting, where elected governors were presided over by the Vice President, the Rivers Sole Administrator showed up. When you look at the constitution, there is no provision for a sole administrator in this body. The NEC is a constitutional body comprising elected governors meant to advise the President on national affairs, and this is a clear violation of that.”
Falana pointed out that a similar role existed in the First Republic but was governed by the National Economic Emergency Act, which stipulated the appointment of a civilian.
“They (FG) believe they can do anything and get away with it,” he asserted.
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