The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced that local government elections in the state will be held on October 5, 2024.
Retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of RSIEC, made this declaration during a stakeholder meeting on Monday at the Commission’s office on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
Justice Enebeli assured that under his leadership, the Commission would conduct free, fair, credible, and violence-free local government elections.
He emphasized adherence to the electoral rules and highlighted the purpose of the meeting as an educational session for stakeholders and the voting populace about the upcoming election.
He called on security agencies and traditional leaders to uphold democracy and maintain peace in their respective areas.
He also urged politicians to encourage their followers and supporters to ensure a violence-free election.
The Rivers State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Sensei Solsuema Osaro, presented a document listing the names of authentic political party chairmen in the state and pledged support for RSIEC to ensure a fair electoral process.
Representatives from 18 political parties attended the stakeholders’ meeting, where the 2024 local government election guidelines were unveiled.
The tenure of the former LGA council chairmen in Rivers State ended on June 17, 2024. Their tenure had been extended by an amended Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018, passed by a faction of the State House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
However, this extension was nullified by a Rivers State High Court ruling on May 21, 2024, which declared the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen for the 23 LGAs following the expiration of the previous chairmen’s tenure. Since June 19, the LG council secretariats have been barricaded by the Nigerian Police.
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun stated that the secretariats would remain closed pending the outcome of the ongoing court case.
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