JUST-IN: RSIEC announces August 9 for conduct of fresh LG poll in Rivers

• Enebeli reiterated the electoral body’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and impartial election, urging political parties to adhere to the rules.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has scheduled a new local government election to take place on August 9, 2025.

On February 28, the supreme court invalidated the local government elections conducted in the state on October 5, 2024.

A five-judge panel of the highest court delivered a judgment in favour of an appeal that was lodged by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the lead decision read by Jamilu Tukur, the supreme court determined that there was no proof that conditions under section 150(3) of the Electoral Act had been fulfilled.

Addressing stakeholders on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, RSIEC chairman Adolphus Enebeli stated that the action aligned with the supreme court’s ruling.

“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.

“The commission, therefore, announces that local government council elections will hold on Saturday, August 9, 2025, in all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.”

The 2024 local government election resulted in the Action People’s Party (APP) winning in 22 LGAs, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured victory in one LGA.

The lead-up to the Rivers LGA elections was mired in disputes, intensified by conflicting judicial rulings and opposition from the APC as well as the PDP.

On September 4, a Rivers State high court ruled that RSIEC was allowed to conduct the elections using the 2023 voter register.

However, on September 30, a federal high court in Abuja prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from handing over the voter register to RSIEC.

The court also restricted the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from offering security for the elections.

Despite the federal high court’s decision and the security forces’ withdrawal, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara insisted that the election would proceed as originally planned.