Rivers Electoral Commission Prepares To Release LG Election Schedule
Following the Supreme Court annulment of the Rivers State Local Government (LG) election held in October 2024, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Electoral Commission (RSIEC) seemed set to conduct fresh council polls.
The state election umpire on Tuesday released a statement signed by its Chairman and Chief Electoral Commissioner, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), announcing a stakeholders meeting for Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
The electoral umpire said the main agenda of the meeting is to unveil the timetable and guidelines for the 2025 Local Government Elections in the state.
The meeting, according to the statement, is scheduled to take place at RSIEC Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Key stakeholders expected at the meeting include leaders of registered political parties, traditional rulers, security agencies, religious organisations, media representatives, professional bodies, civil society groups, community-based groups, and members of the public.
On Sunday, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, assured the people of the oil-rich state that his administration will implement the Supreme Court’s verdict after carefully reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC).
This followed the Friday judgment of the apex court, which declared the LG election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid.
In a state broadcast on Sunday, Fubara revealed that he has met with his legal team, who expect to obtain the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.
He emphasised that his government is committed to upholding constitutional principles and will act in line with the law.
The governor also directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take immediate control of the 23 local government councils across the state, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that nullified the October 5, 2023, local government elections..
Fubara stated that the civil servants would oversee affairs until fresh elections are conducted by the State Electoral Commission.
Amid ongoing political uncertainties, the governor urged residents to remain calm and assured them that his administration remains committed to governance and due process.
The Supreme Court, in another judgment on Friday, barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Martin Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
