PeakNews Online
The Rivers State House of Assembly has summoned the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), to appear before it within 48 hours regarding the conduct of the 2024 local government elections.
The summon, issued during Wednesday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, carries serious implications. The House warned that failure to comply would result in the issuance of an arrest warrant against the RSIEC Chairman.
Legislative Concerns Over RSIEC’s Election Plans
The move by the Assembly comes in response to RSIEC’s recent announcement of August 9, 2025, as the date for fresh local government council elections in Rivers State. The electoral body revealed the schedule during a stakeholders’ meeting at its headquarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, where it also unveiled the official timetable and guidelines for the polls.
Addressing political stakeholders, Justice Enebeli reiterated RSIEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election. He urged all political parties to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines and ensure peaceful participation in the process.
However, the Rivers State Assembly appears unconvinced, seeking clarity on the commission’s decision and its plans for local government administration following the Supreme Court’s recent verdict that upended the existing council leadership.
The controversy surrounding the local government elections stems from last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which sacked the 23 local government chairmen in Rivers State. The apex court nullified the October 5, 2024, elections that brought them into office, citing a violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
With the Supreme Court declaring the elections void, questions arose over the legitimacy of RSIEC’s electoral timetable and its authority to schedule fresh elections while the political climate in the state remains tense.
Beyond summoning the RSIEC chairman, the Rivers State House of Assembly also passed a resolution urging Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit the names of all commissioners who were not screened by the Amaewhule-led Assembly.
This directive adds another layer to the ongoing power struggle in the state, as political tensions between Governor Fubara’s administration and the Assembly have heightened in recent months. The screening of commissioners has been a contentious issue, with different factions of the political class taking opposing stances on executive appointments.
The unfolding events suggest that Rivers State’s political landscape remains deeply divided. The Assembly’s ultimatum to the RSIEC chairman reflects a broader struggle over the control of local governance structures. While RSIEC asserts its autonomy in conducting elections, the legislative body is demanding greater oversight and transparency.
As the August 2025 local government elections approach, stakeholders in Rivers State will be watching closely to see how the RSIEC responds to the Assembly’s summons and whether Governor Fubara will act on the legislative request regarding his commissioners.
The coming days will likely determine whether the Rivers Assembly escalates its confrontation with RSIEC or if a resolution can be reached to ensure a smooth electoral process in the state.
