RSIEC fixes August 9 for fresh LGA poll in Rivers

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced August 9, 2025, for the conduct of a fresh LGA elections in the state.

On February 28, the supreme court nullified the LGA elections held in the state on October 5, 2024.

A five-member panel of the apex court ruled in favour of an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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.

Speaking on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Adolphus Enebeli, chairman of RSIEC, said that the decision was in compliance with the apex court verdict.

“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 LGA election held in 2024 was won by the Action People’s Party (APP), which secured victory in 22 LGAs, while the Action Alliance (AA) won in one LGA.

The build-up to the Rivers LGA elections was trailed by controversy, which was exacerbated by conflicting court orders and pushback from the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On September 4, a high court in Rivers state held that RSIEC could conduct the LGA elections using the 2023 voter register.

But on September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to RSIEC.

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

Despite the federal high court ruling and the withdrawal of security personnel, Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers state governor, said the election would proceed as planned.