…As Electoral Commission Sets August 9 for Council Elections
The Rivers State House of Assembly has summoned the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd), to appear before it within 48 hours regarding the conduct of the October 5, 2024, local government elections.
During plenary on Wednesday, presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the House warned that it would issue a warrant for Enebeli’s arrest if he fails to comply with the summons.
The Assembly also resolved to formally request Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit the names of all his commissioners who were not screened by the Amaewhule-led Assembly for proper legislative vetting.
However, it remains uncertain whether the commissioners will appear, given the heightened political tension in the state following last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling.
Meanwhile, following a stakeholders’ meeting at its secretariat, RSIEC announced that fresh local government elections would be conducted across the 23 LGAs on August 9, 2025.
Citing Section 5 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 12 of 2018, Justice Enebeli reaffirmed the commission’s authority to set election guidelines, regulate political party activities, and oversee the electoral process at the local government level.
“There shall be local government council elections on Saturday, August 9, 2025, in all 23 LGAs of Rivers State. RSIEC is legally mandated to fix the date for elections in the state,” he declared.
Addressing concerns about RSIEC’s jurisdiction, Enebeli emphasized that Section 13 (1-4) of RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018 grants the commission sole authority over local government elections.
“The criteria for participation and other election procedures are clearly outlined in the official election guideline booklet,” he stated at the well-attended stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt.
