The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in Nigeria has announced August 9, 2025, as the date for fresh local government elections, following the Supreme Court’s nullification of the previous polls.
Chairman of RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), disclosed the new date during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. He stated that the decision aligns with last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which invalidated the local government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission by Section 5 of the RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018, and all other enabling provisions, the commission hereby provides guidelines for political parties, stipulating rules and procedures for electioneering campaigns,” Enebeli said.
He further confirmed that the elections would take place across all 23 local government areas of the state.
The announcement comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers following the Supreme Court’s decision, which rendered the tenure of previously elected local government officials invalid.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has summoned the RSIEC Chairman to appear before it within 48 hours regarding the conduct of the 2024 elections. Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who presided over Wednesday’s plenary, warned that a warrant for Enebeli’s arrest would be issued if he failed to honor the invitation.
Additionally, the Assembly resolved to request Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit the names of all his commissioners who were not screened by the Amaewhule-led legislature.
