The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced the postponement of the local government council elections, originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The commission has now rescheduled the election for August 30, 2025.
The decision was confirmed by RSIEC Chairman, Michael Odey, in a video broadcast published by Sahara TV on Tuesday. While addressing the media, Odey explained that the commission is legally empowered to delay an election if credible concerns arise over security, natural disasters, or other emergencies that could hinder a peaceful and effective electoral process. Although he did not specify the exact nature of the issue prompting the postponement, he described the reason as “obvious and incontrovertible.”
Odey reiterated that the commission is acting within its mandate under the relevant electoral laws, which allow for the rescheduling of elections when there is sufficient reason to believe that proceeding as planned would threaten public order or be logistically unfeasible. According to him, the new date was chosen after a careful assessment of the prevailing conditions, ensuring that the process remains transparent and credible.
“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, or it is impossible to conduct the election as a result of a natural disaster or any other emergency, the commission may postpone it—provided that the reason is cogent and verifiable,” he said.
RSIEC has called on all political stakeholders, candidates, and the electorate to take note of the change and continue to prepare in line with the newly announced date of August 30.
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