- RSEIC Pushes Back Local Governmenr Elections to August 30.
- Cite Proceedural Development Being the Reason for Shift.
- Parties Dish Out Support for the New Date.
The decision by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to shift the local government elections from August 9 to August 30, 2025, has continued to generate mixed reactions across political and civic circles in the state.
According to reports gathered by Eko Hot Blog, the new RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Michael Odey, had announced the adjustment during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday.
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He cited that procedural improvements and stakeholder engagement were the reasons for the shift.
His predecessor, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), had initially fixed the poll for August 9, promising a transparent and credible process.
Political parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and the Youth Party have expressed readiness for the rescheduled elections, with some describing the new date as a welcome development.
Speaking to journalists, Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, applauded the new RSIEC leadership for involving political stakeholders in the process.
Okocha recalled that under the previous RSIEC administration, his party was not invited to the stakeholders’ meeting where the initial date was set.
“This time around, we were duly invited, and the process is transparent. You can see the large turnout of political parties and key actors at the meeting. We are confident that this election will be different,” he said.
The PDP also signalled its preparedness for the polls. The party’s state chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, stated that the adjustment was in line with evolving circumstances and that the PDP in Rivers is ready to hit the ground running.
“We were prepared before, and we are even more prepared now. The important thing is that the process is inclusive and the reasons for the shift are clear,” he said.
In a similar vein, the South-South Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Favour Reuben, expressed support for the new date, stating that it was a continuation of an earlier electoral process that had been temporarily halted.
“This is a simple extension. The law allows for it, and RSIEC has acted within its mandate. Labour Party is fully prepared and will participate,” he said.
Also reacting, the Youth Party Chairman in Rivers State, Dr. Ukachukwu Achira, confirmed the party’s participation, but urged RSIEC to ensure all parties and candidates are treated fairly throughout the process.
Meanwhile, several civil society organisations have voiced strong opposition to the August 30 date, calling for the exercise to be suspended altogether.
The South-South Youths Initiative and the Civil Liberties Organisation, in separate statements, accused RSIEC of acting hastily and failing to address lingering concerns around voter register integrity, transparency of the commission, and fairness of the process.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Comrade Victor Nwokocha of the South-South Youths Initiative said:
”We cannot have credible elections when confidence in the process is already undermined. There are unanswered questions about the neutrality of the commission and the readiness of security agencies. Pushing forward the date by three weeks does not resolve these deeper issues.”
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RSIEC, however, has maintained that it remains committed to conducting a free, fair and credible election and urged all stakeholders to work towards peaceful participation.
