The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has officially set August 9, 2025, as the date for new local government elections in the state.
The announcement was made by the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling last Friday, which nullified the local government elections conducted on October 5, 2024, deeming them invalid.
In response to the ruling, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara assured the public that his administration would fully comply with the Supreme Court’s verdict after carefully reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC).
Speaking in a statewide address on Sunday, Governor Fubara confirmed that he had met with his legal team, who anticipate receiving the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.
He reiterated his government’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all measures taken align with constitutional principles.
The governor also instructed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take immediate charge of the 23 local government councils in Rivers State, in adherence to the Supreme Court’s judgment invalidating the previous elections.
Fubara assured residents that these officials would oversee local government affairs until new elections are organized by RSIEC.
Additionally, in a separate ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court placed financial restrictions on the Rivers State government, instructing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies to withhold funds until the state complies with prior court orders.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, also saw the court’s five-member panel dismiss Governor Fubara’s cross-appeal, which challenged the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
