The Rivers State House of Assembly has given the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) an additional 72 hours to appear before it, following the expiration of a previous 48-hour deadline.
The extension, which was announced during a plenary session on Friday in Port Harcourt, comes after a motion was raised by lawmaker Enemi George.
The lawmakers voted to extend the ultimatum to Monday, March 10, 2025, granting RSIEC Chairman Justice Enebeli and other officials more time to address the Assembly. This decision also came on the heels of the House’s original plan to go on recess.
However, due to the urgent need to address the RSIEC officials, Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol proposed a motion to suspend the break, ensuring the Assembly would remain in session to deal with the matter at hand.
In his address, Speaker Martin Amaewhule also took the opportunity to remark on Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to present the 2025 state budget to the Assembly, despite a prior 48-hour ultimatum issued to him. Amaewhule assured that the House would take appropriate action regarding this issue in due course.
Despite the heightened pressure, RSIEC has yet to respond to the Assembly’s demands. The controversy stems from the Supreme Court’s recent annulment of the October 5, 2024, local government elections in the state.
The court’s verdict, delivered on March 5, declared the election invalid due to significant violations of the Electoral Act.
The annulment has sparked a wave of scrutiny over the conduct of RSIEC and its leadership. In response, the Amaewhule-led Assembly has vowed to investigate the actions of Justice Enebeli and his team, particularly in relation to the controversial election.
The court’s judgment, handed down by Justice Jamilu Tukur, highlighted multiple breaches, including the continuation of voter registration after an election date had been set and procedural violations under the Electoral Act.
The Assembly’s decision to hold RSIEC officials accountable is seen as a critical move in restoring public trust and ensuring electoral integrity in the state.
As the new deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the commission’s response and the Assembly’s next steps in this ongoing political drama.
