Political party, Rivers APC, voices opposition to the planned Local Government Elections scheduled for August 30.
Controversy Surrounds Upcoming Local Government Elections in Rivers State
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) is preparing for local government elections set to take place on August 30, 2025. However, the legality of these elections is being challenged in court.
The main points of contention include the ongoing state of emergency in Rivers State, the use of an outdated voter register, and concerns that the elections may disenfranchise eligible voters.
Critics argue that holding elections during an active state of emergency, which has not been revoked or suspended, is illegal and unconstitutional. They contend that the emergency declaration creates conditions of public disorder that preclude meaningful voter participation.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and other critics also argue that the election should not proceed because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is still conducting continuous voter registration. They claim that holding the election amid ongoing registration would disenfranchise eligible voters who have not yet been registered. This concern is based on a Supreme Court ruling requiring the use of updated voter registers for elections.
In response, RSIEC and the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), maintain that they have the legal authority to conduct the elections. They argue that the August 30 date is non-negotiable and legally supported despite opposition. The Sole Administrator asserts that RSIEC was cleared by the National Assembly, not the Administrator.
It is important to note that the last local government election was previously set aside by courts for irregularities, which adds to the legal scrutiny on the planned election.
The APC has been vocal in its opposition to the elections, with APC spokesperson Darlington Nwauju urging RSIEC to postpone the polls until INEC finishes its continuous voter registration. The Sole Administrator, however, did not address these concerns directly.
Despite the political opposition and legal challenges, some residents express readiness to participate in the elections, despite the controversy. A pending court case seeks to halt the local government elections in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator did mention that RSIEC can change the election date once, and they have already done so. However, he emphasized that RSIEC cannot change the election date again. The local government elections timetable was drawn according to the RSIEC Act.
Critics argue that RSIEC and the state's Sole Administrator lack legitimacy to organize the LG elections under the ongoing emergency rule. However, the Sole Administrator reiterated that RSIEC has the legal basis to conduct the local government elections, and this cannot be wished away.
The Sole Administrator also stated that RSIEC had already obtained its voters register before INEC came up with its own. This statement suggests a potential point of contention between the two electoral bodies.
In summary, while RSIEC intends to lawfully proceed with elections on August 30, significant legal disputes question the validity of holding elections during an active state of emergency and ongoing voter registration as per Supreme Court guidance. The ultimate legality depends on pending court rulings addressing these issues.
- The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria, along with other critics, claim that the local government elections in Rivers State should not proceed because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is still conducting continuous voter registration.
- In response to the concerns raised by the APC and other critics, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State asserted that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had already obtained its voters register before INEC came up with its own.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the upcoming local government elections in Rivers State, some residents in Naija, particularly Lagos, have expressed their readiness to participate.
- The APC spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, has urged RSIEC to postpone the polls until INEC finishes its continuous voter registration, a suggestion that RSIEC might have to consider given the pending court case aiming to halt the local government elections in Rivers State.
