The Rivers State House of Assembly has summoned the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, to appear before it within 48 hours regarding the conduct of the October 5, 2024, local government elections.
The Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, issued the directive during its plenary session on Wednesday. Lawmakers warned that failure to comply within the given timeframe could result in a warrant for Enebeli’s arrest.
This summons follows the controversy surrounding last year’s local government elections, in which the Action Peoples Party (APP) secured victories across 23 local government areas, except for Etche LGA, which was won by a party other than the PDP or APC.
Additionally, the House resolved to request Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit the names of his commissioners who were not screened by the Assembly for proper vetting. Given the heightened political tension in the state following last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, it remains uncertain whether the commissioners will comply.
Meanwhile, RSIEC has officially scheduled fresh local government elections for August 9, 2025. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting, Justice Enebeli reaffirmed RSIEC’s authority under Section 5 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 12 of 2018, which empowers the body to set election guidelines and oversee campaigns.
He further stated that, contrary to certain media misconceptions, RSIEC holds exclusive statutory authority under Section 13(1-4) of the same law to determine local government election dates in the state. The meeting, attended by key political actors, reinforced the commission’s commitment to conducting a transparent electoral process.
