Rivers re -displaced the LG election until August 30 in the middle of an emergency rules disruption

The Rivers State Independent Election Commission (RSIEC) has announced that the election of local governments in all states will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 – shifting the date from previously scheduled for August 9.

This new development was published by RSIEC Chair Michael Odey during the formal opening of the revised election schedule on Port Harcourt on Monday.

Odey explained that the decision to postpone the election was taken in connection with political and constitutional uncertainty caused by the imposition of emergency rules in the state, which also led to the suspension of Governor Siminaayi Fubara. The commission, he said, acted within legal limits to maintain peace and ensure a credible election process.

“You can remember that the public stakeholder meeting was held by the Sixth Commission on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, where August 9, 2025 was declared as the date of the local government election at the Rivers State before the emergence of emergency rules,” Odey said.

“Here now, the seventh commission of the RSIEC already knows the right thing from section 13 sub 5, from the RSIEC law, which states so that when the commission points out the date to hold an election and there is a reason to believe that a serious violation will occur during the election held on that date, or it is not possible to conduct an election as a result of an emergency, or it Elections, or not possible to conduct elections, or it is not possible to conduct general elections, or it is impossible to conduct general elections, or it is not possible to conduct elections, or it is not possible to conduct elections, or not possible

Quoting this provision, Odey stressed, “Therefore, by the power given to the commission by this provision, I hereby announce the postponement of the Election of the Regional Government Council which was previously held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, for a very clear and unintensed reason.”

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He further announced that based on section 5 of the RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018, the commission is empowered to issue election guidelines, regulate campaign procedures, and conduct elections, including runoff, replays, or BYE elections. “There will be a local government election on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in all 23 regional government regions of the State Rivers. One member of the council will be elected in each ward, and a chairman and deputy chairman will be elected for each local government council,” Odey said.

He also confirmed that the schedule of newly changed activities would be officially presented to the public.

The Chairperson of the RSIEC gave a guarantee that the commission was ready to conduct an election that meets the highest democratic standards, swearing strict compliance with election regulations, security for voters, and transparent processes.

“Today marks an important milestone in our journey to ensure a transparent, free, fair, credible, and inclusive selection process,” he said. “Now, what we will reveal today is not just a schedule of events; that is a commitment to the selection legal process, it is a commitment to the timeliness of the election based on the law, it is a commitment to justice for all participants in the election process.”

Odey appealed to the collaboration and vigilance of all stakeholders when the state was heading towards a rescheduled poll. “We realize that each of you has an important role to be played in the process, and we hope to continue collaboration and vigilance, including your support when we go well until the election day.”

Recognizing the sensitive political climate in the river, Odey described that moment as “an extraordinary period in the democratic evolution of river countries.”

“Now, periodic selections around the world are arguably the foundation; they are a characteristic; they, if you like it, a precedent condition for sustainable democracy,” he said.

“Democracy itself is not just a periodic election; as in fact, the election is not just a process, it is a sacred expression of the people’s will to govern them. Rational voices are heard; I use rational intentionally and I know there will be votes and that prospective voters are provided wisely and the environment is safe to train them.

He concluded with a strong commitment to election integrity: “We will also ensure that prospective voters are allowed freely, without intimidation or coercion to make their choices and we will ensure that the whole process is not only transparent, free, fair, credible and inclusive, but it will be seen like that.”

Odey also emphasized that RSIEC will operate with humility and collaboration: “Now, in carrying out activities in the commission, we will not defend ourselves giant status, the status of a person who knows-all-knowledge, with strong knowledge about everything. No, we will not do that.

“Election administration is a multi-sectoral effort. This is a multi-interest company. So, we will ensure that we consult, collaborate, and we synergize with critical stakeholders.”