Residents across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State are set to vote in local council elections on Saturday, taking place in 6,866 polling units spread across the state's 319 wards. This marks a significant electoral moment, especially after the Supreme Court annulled the previous council polls conducted on October 5, 2024, by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), citing procedural violations.
Rivers State, a key economic hub in the South-South region and home to vital oil assets, finds these elections politically charged. The outcomes could shape the dynamics ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
In a pre-election address on Friday, RSIEC Chairman Michael Odey called on eligible voters to peacefully participate and adhere to electoral guidelines. He assured the public of timely distribution of voting materials across all polling units, including hard-to-reach rural and riverine areas. With support from the police, Odey emphasized that comprehensive security measures were in place to safeguard lives and property during the exercise.
Movement restrictions have been imposed from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day to ensure order. In a show of readiness, security agencies—including the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Army, Navy, NSCDC, FRSC, and others—conducted a joint show of force on Friday through Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor LGAs, demonstrating operational preparedness.
Earlier, Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju affirmed the deployment of security personnel and logistics across the state to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
These elections are taking place against a backdrop of political instability in the state. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly were recently suspended following a fierce political standoff with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The impasse was later resolved after intervention by President Bola Tinubu.
Wike and Fubara—who hail from Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre LGAs respectively—remain central figures in Rivers politics, along with former Transport Minister and opposition figure Rotimi Amaechi.
However, the credibility of the upcoming elections has been questioned by several observers. Critics argue that conducting the elections through a commission led by an appointee of the sole administrator raises concerns about transparency and fairness.
Legal practitioner Chetam Nwala criticized the exercise, calling for federal intervention to restore democratic governance in Rivers State. “The election in Rivers State is not in the best interest of the people, and that’s why participation may be low,” he said during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily.
Similarly, TAF Africa CEO Jake Epelle criticized the joint presence of candidates from both the APC and PDP on the ballot, describing it as a misleading move intended to confuse voters.
The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that RSIEC violated electoral laws by continuing voter registration after announcing an election date, thereby breaching Section 150 of the Electoral Act. Justice Jamilu Tukur declared RSIEC’s previous actions void due to non-compliance with electoral guidelines.
In a related ruling, the Supreme Court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State government until it complies with court orders and addresses issues of legal non-compliance.
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