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RSIEC proceeds with August LG poll preparations in defiance of Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSNIEC) says it is going ahead with preparations for the upcoming local government election, despite opposition from the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The commission has already scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting to unveil the election guidelines and timetable.

This development comes amid a tense standoff between the two bodies, but RSIEC seems determined to proceed with the election plans.

Persecondnews had reported that the House on March 5 summoned RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli to appear before it within 48 hours regarding the conduct of the 2024 local government election which was nullified by the Supreme Court.

The House, during plenary presided over by its Speaker, Martin Amaewhulu, also threatened to issue a warrant for his arrest if he fails to appear before the House at the expiration of the ultimatum.

The summons was issued in reaction to the Supreme Court judgment of February 28, which declared the October 5, 2024, local government election in the state, won by the All People’s Party (APP) invalid, illegal, null, and void.

Despite the summons, the RSIEC chairman announced August 9 as the new date for the election in a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday, March 5, at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

At the expiration of the 72 hours ultimatum, the House on Monday, March 10, went ahead and issued a warrant of arrest for Enebeli and four senior officials of the commission.

Also, the House, on Wednesday, March 12, in a resolution by the 26 lawmakers, disclosed plans to ask the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Justice Enebeli.

Despite the heat from the House, the commission on Thursday, March 13, hinted it has obtained all the necessary documents required for the smooth conduct of the 2025 LGA election in Rivers State.

The commission’s Commissioner in charge of Media and Civic Education, Mr. Tamunotonye Tobins, issued a press statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday, a copy of which was obtained by Persecondnews on Friday, saying that RSIEC would conduct a free, fair, and credible poll.

Tobin said: “The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission is pleased to inform all stakeholders, political parties and the well-meaning citizens of the State; that as part of ongoing preparations for the forth-coming Local Government Council Elections,the Commission has secured from the INEC Headquarters, the updated Register of Voters for Rivers State together with the current list of Registered Political Parties in Nigeria.

“These two important documents were released to RSIEC today vide letter No.INEC/RV/S/VR/494/155 dated March 2025 (copy attached herewith).

“The Chairman and Members of the Commission hereby reassures the good people of Rivers State of the Commission’s resolve to conduct a credible, free and fair elections come Saturday, August 2025.”

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