The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced that local government elections across the state will now be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 — shifting the date from the earlier scheduled August 9.
This new development was made public by RSIEC Chairman Michael Odey during the formal unveiling of a revised election timetable in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Odey explained that the decision to postpone the election was taken in light of the political and constitutional uncertainties caused by the imposition of emergency rule in the state, which also led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The commission, he said, acted within the confines of the law to preserve peace and ensure a credible electoral process.
“You can recall that a general stakeholders meeting was convened by the sixth commission on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, during which August 9th 2025 was proclaimed as a date of local government election in Rivers State prior to the advent of the emergency rule,” Odey stated.
“Here now, the seventh commission of RSIEC has taken proper cognisance of Section 13 Sub 5, of the RSIEC Law, which provides thus; that when the commission appoints a date for holding an election and there is a reason to believe that a serious breach of peace is likely to occur if the election holds on that date, or it is impossible to conduct the election as a result of natural disaster or any other emergency, the commission may postpone the election provided that the reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.”
Citing this provision, Odey emphasized, “Therefore, by the powers vested upon the commission by this provision, I hereby announce the postponement of the local government council elections earlier fixed to hold on Saturday, 9th August 2025, for a very obvious and incontrovertible reason.”
He further announced that under Section 5 of the RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018, the commission is empowered to issue election guidelines, regulate campaign procedures, and conduct elections, including runoffs, reruns, or bye-elections. “There shall be local government elections on Saturday, the 30th of August 2025, in all the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. One councillor each shall be elected in each of the wards, and a chairman and vice chairman shall be elected for each of the local government councils,” Odey declared.
He also confirmed that the newly amended timetable of activities would be formally presented to the public.
The RSIEC chairman gave assurances that the commission is ready to conduct elections that meet the highest democratic standards, vowing strict adherence to electoral regulations, security for voters, and a transparent process.
“Today marks a critical milestone in our journey to ensure a transparent, free, fair, credible, and inclusive electoral process,” he said. “Now, what we are about to unveil today is not merely a timetable of events; it is a commitment to electoral due process, it is a commitment to electoral timeliness grounded in law, it is a commitment to fairness to all participants in the electoral process.”
Odey appealed for collaboration and vigilance from all stakeholders as the state heads toward the rescheduled polls. “We recognise that each one of you has a pivotal role to play in the process, and we look forward to continued collaboration and vigilance, including your support as we trudge along to the election day.”
Acknowledging the sensitive political climate in Rivers, Odey described the moment as “an incredibly extraordinary period in the democratic evolution of Rivers State.”
“Now, periodic elections all over the world are arguably the cornerstone; they are a hallmark; they are, if you like, a condition precedent for a sustainable democracy,” he noted.
“Democracy itself is not merely periodic elections; as a matter of fact, election is not just a process, it is a sacred expression of the people’s will as to govern them. Rational voices are heard; I am using Rational deliberately and I know there are going to be a plathorial of voices and that the prospective voters are provided with a sage and secured environment to exercise their franchise.”
He concluded with a strong commitment to electoral integrity: “We are also going to make sure that prospective voters are allowed freely, without intimidation or coercion to make their choices and we are going to make sure that the entire process is not just transparent, free, fair, credible and inclusive, but that it is going to be seen as such.”
Odey also stressed that RSIEC will operate with humility and collaboration: “Now, in carrying out activities in the commission, we are not going to arrogate to ourselves the status of a behemoth, the status of an omniscient—all-knowing—institution, with a powerful knowledge of everything. No, we are not going to do that.
“Election administration is a multi-sectoral endeavour. It is a multi-stakeholder enterprise. And so, we are going to make sure that we consult, collaborate, and we synergise with the critical stakeholders.”
