Rivers electoral commission begins preparations for LG elections

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has initiated the process for conducting local government elections to fill the positions of council chairmen and councilors in the 23 council areas.

Retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the Chairman of the RSIEC and Chief Electoral Commissioner, made this announcement to newsmen on Wednesday evening.

This development comes just a day after Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while inaugurating caretaker committee chairmen for the 23 local government councils, hinted that their tenure would be brief as the state is preparing to conduct LG elections soon.

Persecondnews recalls that the elected Chairmen and Councillors of the 23 LGA’s in the state had their tenure come to an end on Monday, the 17th, sparking a three-day crisis in the state.

Fubara stated: “Let me also sound it very clear here that your tenures are not going to be too long because, as a matter of fact, before the end of today (Wednesday) or tomorrow (Thursday), there should be a process for the commencement of elective local government chairmen in our dear state.”

In response, the Chairman of the Commission has issued a notice summoning all political parties and stakeholders to a meeting scheduled for next month.

Enebeli announced that the RSIEC Headquarters on Aba Road in Port Harcourt will host the meeting on Monday, July 1st, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

He announced that the gathering will serve as the platform for unveiling the timetable and guidelines for the 2024 local government elections in the state.

He extended invitations to a broad range of stakeholders, including leaders of all registered political parties, traditional rulers, security agencies, religious organizations, and members of the media, to attend the meeting.

The notice reads: “The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebell, hereby invites: Leaders of all registered political parties, traditional rulers, security agencies, religious organisations, the media, professional organizations, civil society groups, non-governmental organizations community-based groups, and the electorate to a general stakeholders meeting on Monday, 1st July 2024, at the RSIEC Headquarters, 239-243 Aba Road, Port Harcourt, by 10 a.m.

“The highlight of the meeting will be the unveiling of the timetable and guidelines for the 2024 local government elections in the state. All concerned should be seated at the RSIEC Auditorium by 09:45 am, please.”