Rivers State has rescheduled its local government elections to August 30, 2025, following administrative upheaval triggered by a federal state of emergency. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) confirmed the delay during a public event on Monday, marking the second shift in plans under a reconstituted electoral body.
Dr. Michael Ekpali Odey, the newly appointed RSIEC chairman, unveiled the revised timeline during a ceremony attended by political leaders, civil society groups, security officials, and traditional rulers. The vote—originally set for August 9, 2025—was first organized under former commission head Retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli. However, Enebeli’s tenure ended abruptly when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dissolved the RSIEC board after declaring a state of emergency in the oil-rich southeastern state earlier this year.
The sweeping intervention saw Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas installed as Sole Administrator, tasked with stabilizing Rivers State amid undisclosed security and governance concerns. Under Ibas’s directives, Tinubu’s emergency measures also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and the entire state legislature. Federal authorities have yet to specify the duration of the emergency or outline criteria for restoring elected governance.
Odey framed the election postponement as a procedural necessity, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to “credible and inclusive” polls. His address reaffirmed collaboration with stakeholders ranging from political parties to religious groups, though no specifics were provided about security preparations or voter education timelines. Observers note the delay raises questions about local representation, as citizen-elected councils typically manage key services like infrastructure and primary healthcare.
Political analysts speculate the postponement could deepen tensions in a region already grappling with the implications of federal intervention. The dissolved state assembly had been embroiled in disputes over resource allocation and jurisdictional authority prior to its suspension. Meanwhile, advocacy groups await clarity on whether the 2025 elections will proceed under emergency protocols or after a return to constitutional governance.
As federal and state authorities navigate the crisis, Monday’s stakeholder meeting underscored efforts to project stability. Representatives from Nigeria’s electoral body, security agencies, and international NGOs joined the discussion, signaling broader oversight of the rescheduled process. For now, Rivers State residents face an extended wait for local leadership, with the postponement reflecting both logistical recalibration and the lingering shadow of federal control.
