Rivers state electoral commission announces date for local govt elections

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has fixed October 5 as the date for the conduct of local government elections in the state.

On Monday, July 1, the Commission released its guidelines regarding the conduct of the council elections in the state.

Following the expiration of the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors of the 23 LGAs, the governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, inaugurated Caretaker Committees pending the conduct of council elections.

However, the development had sparked protests by the outgone chairmen loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.

They insist that the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly had extended their tenure by six months in the repealed Local Government Administration law of the state.

However, RSIEC met with the leaders of political parties and major stakeholders in the state, over conducting the elections.