Rivers State Local Government Elections Rescheduled for August 30 Amid Emergency Rule
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has officially rescheduled the state’s local government elections to August 30, 2025, citing the prevailing state of emergency and legal provisions allowing for a shift in the electoral timetable.
The announcement was made by RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey, during a stakeholder engagement session held in Port Harcourt. Dr. Odey stated that the adjustment was made in accordance with Section 13(5) of the RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018, which allows the commission to alter election dates due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the state’s ongoing political crisis.
Originally slated for August 9, the local council elections became necessary following a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the previous polls conducted in October 2024, citing procedural irregularities. The late RSIEC Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), had earlier announced the August 9 date before his passing.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision, the administration of local government councils in Rivers has been under intense scrutiny. The federal government declared a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the House of Assembly, and appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.) as the sole administrator of the state. This unprecedented step disrupted normal governance, further complicating the electoral process.
With the new timeline in place, RSIEC has released an updated schedule for election-related activities. Party primaries will now take place between July 31 and August 3, while political parties are expected to submit their candidates’ names between August 3 and August 4. Recruitment of ad-hoc staff is scheduled for August 16, followed by the publication of the final list of candidates on August 20.
RSIEC has assured stakeholders of its commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, despite the challenges posed by the emergency rule. The commission emphasized the importance of returning democratic governance to the local level, noting that elected officials are crucial for grassroots development and accountability.
Representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions attended the stakeholder meeting, where they expressed support for the new timetable and called for adequate security and transparency in the electoral process.
The August 30 election is expected to take place across the state’s 23 local government areas, and RSIEC has noted that any necessary reruns or supplementary elections will be conducted within a short window afterward.
As Rivers State prepares for the polls, attention remains fixed on how the process unfolds in the midst of political tension and administrative oversight. The outcome will likely play a key role in shaping the state’s return to democratic normalcy.
