Rivers Assembly Extends Ultimatum after RSIEC Officials fail to appear

The Rivers State House of Assembly have resolved to extend by 72 hours the ultimatum given to the chairman and

commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to appear before it, following the

expiration of the initial 48-hour ultimatum.

The deadline came when the state set August 9, 2025, as the date for a new local government election.

The agreement was reached by the legislators on Friday during their plenary session in Port Harcourt. The action was

taken in response to a request made by Enemi George, one of the lawmakers.

In order to allow Justice Enebeli, the head of the RSIEC, and other authorities to appear before them, the House

decided to extend the deadline to Monday, March 10.

The House had proposed to go on a break a few days back. But due to the extension of the ultimatum, Deputy

Speaker of the House Dumle Maol moved a motion to suspend their recess so they could attend to the RSIEC

chairman and his commissioners.

In his remarks, however, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, said they have taken

legislative notice of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to present the 2025 budget to the House for consideration

despite a 48-hour ultimatum to him.

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Amaewhule said they will take action in due course. RSIEC, has, however, not commented on the matter.

The House of Assembly threatened to arrest the RSIEC officials and gave them an ultimatum on March 5.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the October 5, 2024 election in Rivers State, a new Local

Government (LG) poll was scheduled for August 9, 2025, which prompted the ultimatum.

Following the incident, the Assembly, led by Amaewhule, declared that it will look into the electoral chief’s actions

regarding the cancelled election.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court nullified the local government election in Rivers State. In a judgement delivered by

Justice Jamilu Tukur, the apex court declared the election invalid over its gross violation of the Electoral Act.

Justice Tukur said RSIEC failed to substantially comply with the Electoral Act and guidelines. According to him, the

electoral body continued voter registration even after fixing an election date.

The court said the processes leading to the conduct of the election were abridged in clear violation of Section 150 of

the Electoral Act.