RSIEC fixes date for Rivers LG poll amid concerns over emergency rule

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has fixed elections into the 23 local councils of the state for August 30, 2025.

 

This comes despite mounting concerns by stakeholders over the legitimacy of the proposed elections and the extension of the undemocratic emergency rule beyond the initial six-month period.

 

Chairman of the Commission, Michael Ekpai Odey, announced the new date while unveiling the timetable for the council polls to stakeholders on Monday at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. He explained that the elections, initially scheduled for August 9 by the previous commission, were shifted to August 30 to address issues of inclusion.

 

Addressing the stakeholders—which included representatives of political parties, religious groups, traditional institutions, women’s groups, and youth organisations—Odey assured that the commission would conduct free, credible, and transparent elections.

 

He noted that the new date and guidelines for the polls were in accordance with Sections 13(5) and 20(1)(a) of RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018 (as amended).

 

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According to RSIEC’s Revised Timetable for the 2025 Local Government Council Elections, activities began on July 28 with a meeting with stakeholders and will conclude on September 13, 2025, with a second run-off for the chairmanship elections.

 

Odey recalled that a previous stakeholders’ meeting had been convened by the 6th Commission on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, during which August 9, 2025, was declared as the date for local government elections—prior to the declaration of the state of emergency.

 

He said:

 

“The 7th Commission of RSIEC, taking cognizance of Section 13(5) of the RSIEC Law, which allows for the postponement of elections in the event of a likely breach of peace, natural disaster, or any emergency, has decided to shift the election date. By the powers vested in this commission, I hereby announce the postponement of the local government council elections, earlier scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025, for cogent and incontrovertible reasons.”

 

Odey further stated:

 

“In exercise of the powers conferred on RSIEC by Section 5 of the 2018 RSIEC Law (as reviewed), and other enabling provisions, the commission hereby issues rules and procedures for electioneering campaigns for the 2025 local government council elections, as well as any potential run-offs, reruns, or bye-elections.

 

“Local government elections shall be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, across all 23 local government areas of Rivers State. One councillor shall be elected in each ward, while a chairman and vice-chairman shall be elected in each local government area.”

 

Labour Party Chairman in the state, Hilda Dokubo, who was present at the meeting, said her party would review the documents, timetable, and references presented by RSIEC before taking a position on the matter.

 

She declined to comment on the legality of the proposed elections, stating that her party’s primary concern is what serves the best interests of the people of Rivers State.

 

Tony Okocha, state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed readiness to participate in the elections “any time, any day.” He noted that some stakeholders had raised concerns over the previous election schedule because “things were not done properly,” but expressed satisfaction with the current arrangements.

 

However, Imeabe Saviour, Chairman of the Coalition of Rivers State Youths, questioned the legality of the proposed elections, warning that it could worsen the ongoing political crisis in the state.

 

He called on President Bola Tinubu to lift the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State and reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in order to restore political stability and revive the state’s economy, which has been adversely affected by months of emergency rule.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE