Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has scheduled a fresh Local Government (LG) election for August 9, 2025.
Gatekeepers News reports that this announcement was made by the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), during a stakeholders’ meeting held on March 5, 2025.
This decision arises after a Supreme Court ruling declared the previous LG election, conducted on October 5, 2024, invalid. Following the judgment, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara expressed his administration’s commitment to adhering to the Supreme Court’s verdict. He mentioned that he plans to review the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling, which his legal team expects to receive by March 7, 2025.
In his state broadcast, Governor Fubara emphasized the importance of following constitutional principles and stated that Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) would take immediate control of the 23 local government councils until new elections can be held by the State Electoral Commission. Civil servants are expected to manage the daily affairs of these councils during this interim period.
Additionally, the Supreme Court imposed a restriction on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies, preventing them from releasing funds to the Rivers State government due to its noncompliance with previous court orders.
In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Governor Fubara regarding the legality of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The court ordered Amaewhule and the other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume their official duties immediately.
