The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has issued a notice for a fresh local council election as Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyemson Wike, are set for political clashes once again, after the recent Supreme Court judgement.
Penpushing reports that the election notice by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) came hours after the state assembly notified the Governor that it(assembly) would amend the law establishing the commission.
The electoral body chairman Adolphus Enebeli, in a letter, invites stakeholders, including leaders of all registered political parties, traditional rulers, religious organisations, media, civil society groups, and electorates to a meeting on Wednesday.
Penpushing further reports that Enebeli, a retired judge explained that the highlight of the meeting will be the unveiling of the time-table and guidelines for the 2025 local government election in the state.
The Supreme Court, it is recalled on Friday, sacked the 23 council chairpersons in the state after voiding last year’s local election for non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and in response the Governor in a statewide broadcast on Sunday, ordered the council chairmen to hand over to the heads of local government administration in their respective domains, with assurance that a fresh election would be conducted.
Penpushing also reports that the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, citing the supreme court judgment in a letter dated March 3, 2025, notified the Governor that the lawmakers would soon commence the process of amending the local government law.
“House would soon commence the process of amending the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 2 of 2018 so that they can be in tandem with Electoral Act and pave way for the commencement of plans for fresh election in the state’, Amaewhule wrote.
Penpushing reports that the assembly in same vein, in the letter, drawn the Governor’s attention to the Supreme Court judgment in 2023, which prohibits the running of local governments by officials outside those elected to serve.
The record has it that the state has been enmeshed in political crisis since late 2023 after Governor Fubara fell out with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Penpushing further reports that as at the time of filing this report it was not clear how pro Wike lawmakers would respond to the election notice from the Rivers State Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
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