The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has set the date for the state’s local government election as Saturday, August 30, 2025.
This represents a shift in the date initially set by the commission, then led by Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), which had previously set August 9, 2025, prior to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension following the declaration of an emergency rule in the state.
Michael Odey, the current RSIEC Chairman, made the remark during the introduction of the amended election timetable in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Monday.
Odey noted that the decision to postpone the election was inspired by the state’s current conditions, including constitutional provisions allowing the commission to reschedule elections in times of crisis or potential upheaval.
“You can recall that a general stakeholders meeting was convened by the sixth commission on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, during which August 9th, 2025, was proclaimed as a date of local government election in Rivers State prior to the advent of the emergency rule.
“Here now, the seventh commission of RSIEC has taken proper cognisance of Section 13 Sub 5 of the RSIEC Law, which provides that when the commission appoints a date for holding an election and there is a reason to believe that a serious breach of peace is likely to occur if the election is held on that date, or it is impossible to conduct the election as a result of natural disaster or any other emergency, the commission may postpone the election provided that the reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable,” he stated.
Odey continued, “Therefore, by the powers vested upon the commission by this provision, I hereby announce the postponement of the local government council elections earlier fixed to be held on Saturday, 9th August 2025, for a very obvious and incontrovertible reason.
“Furthermore, in exercise of the powers conferred on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission by Section 5 of the RSIEC Law number 2 of 2018, and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, to provide guidelines to political parties stipulating the rules and procedures for electioneering campaigns for the 2025 local government council elections and any other runoffs or reruns and bye elections that may arise therefore, the commissioner hereby makes the following rules and regulations and announces the new date for the postponed elections.
“There shall be local government elections on Saturday, the 30th of August 2025, in all 23 local government areas of Rivers State. One councillor each shall be elected in each of the wards, and a chairman and vice chairman shall be elected for each of the local government councils.
“The revised timetable of activities as amended will now be officially unveiled.”
The RSIEC chairman told the public that the state electoral umpire is fully prepared to offer a free, fair, and transparent electoral process, stating that the commission will rigorously follow all electoral norms and that voters will be able to vote without fear or intimidation.
He added, “Today marks a critical milestone in our journey to ensure a transparent, free, fair, credible, and inclusive electoral process.
“Now, what we are about to unveil today is not merely a timetable of events; it is a commitment to electoral due process, it is a commitment to electoral timeliness grounded in law, and it is a commitment to fairness to all participants in the electoral process.
“We recognise that each one of you has a pivotal role to play in the process, and we look forward to continued collaboration and vigilance, including your support as we trudge along to the election day.
“We in the seventh commission, in accepting this national assignment and responsibility, are not unaware of the weighty implications and huge significance, particularly in light of this incredibly extraordinary period in the democratic evolution of Rivers State.
“Now, periodic elections all over the world are arguably the cornerstone; they are a hallmark; they are, if you like, a condition precedent for a sustainable democracy.
“Democracy itself is not merely periodic elections; as a matter of fact, an election is not just a process, it is a sacred expression of the people’s will as to who governs them. Rational voices are heard; I am using rational deliberately, and I know there are going to be a plethora of voices and that the prospective voters are provided with a safe and secure environment to exercise their franchise.
“Furthermore, we are going to ensure that the prospective voters have free and unfettered access to the electoral sites and venues and polling units to exercise their civil responsibility.
“We are also going to make sure that prospective voters are allowed freely, without intimidation or coercion, to make their choices, and we are going to make sure that the entire process is not only transparent, free, fair, credible, and inclusive, but that it is also going to be seen as such.
“Now, in carrying out activities in the commission, we are not going to arrogate to ourselves the status of a behemoth, the status of an omniscient—all-knowing—institution, with a powerful knowledge of everything. No, we are not going to do that.
“Election administration is a multi-sectoral endeavour. It is a multi-stakeholder enterprise. And so, we are going to make sure that we consult, collaborate, and synergise with the critical stakeholders.”
