Breaking: Rivers announces date for fresh LG elections

Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has officially scheduled 9th August 2025 for fresh Local Government Council Elections in the state.

RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, where the commission also unveiled the 2025 Local Government Elections timetable and guidelines at its headquarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

In his address to stakeholders, Justice Enebeli reaffirmed RSIEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and impartial election.

He urged political parties to strictly adhere to the established rules and guidelines to ensure a smooth electoral process.

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.