Pro-Wike lawmakers invite Rivers electoral commission officials — second time in two days

The Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers house of assembly has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before the parliament.

The new ultimatum was issued by the Rivers assembly on Friday after the RSIEC officials failed to appear before the legislature.

On Wednesday, the assembly invited Adolphus Enebeli, RSIEC chairman, and commissioners of the state electoral body, before the parliament on Friday.

The assembly asked Enebeli to come along with relevant documents to explain how the commission spent state resources without an appropriation law since January 2024.

The assembly also threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against Enebeli and his commissioners if they failed to honour the invitation.

However, the RSIEC officials failed to appear before the assembly on Friday.

During the plenary, Enemi George, lawmaker representing Asari-Toru constituency 2, moved a motion that the invitation should be extended to Monday, March 10, 2024.

The assembly resolved to extend the invitation to Monday to enable the RSIEC officials to appear for questioning.

The assembly also ordered the clerk to send another invitation letter to the RSIEC officials for Monday.

On Wednesday, RSIEC announced August 9, 2025, for the conduct of a fresh LGA elections in Rivers.

Enebeli said the decision was in compliance with the apex court verdict.

Last Friday, the supreme court nullified the local government election conducted on October 5, 2024.

In its lead judgment delivered by Jamilu Tukur, the apex court held that there was no evidence to show that the conditions set out in section 150(3) of the Electoral Act had been met before the electoral umpire conducted the polls.

The state is currently battling political crisis owing to the feud between Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The Amaewhule-led faction, which has the majority membership of the assembly, is loyal to Wike.