Two commissioners from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) have stepped down, as the fallout from the recent Supreme Court ruling on the state’s political crisis continues to unfold.
Professor Simeon Emenike Weli, Commissioner for Political Parties/Monitoring, and Dr. Lazbery Nyebuchi Nnah, Commissioner for Budget/Research and Statistics, resigned on Friday, citing “unfolding events in the commission” and the court’s judgment as key reasons for their departure.
In response, Governor Siminalayi Fubara urged Rivers residents to remain steadfast in their support for truth and his administration amid the political turbulence.
In their resignation letters addressed to the RSIEC Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd), Weli and Nnah wrote, “In view of the situation in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which nullified the October 5th, 2024, local government elections conducted by the commission in Rivers State.” They also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the state.
A copy of their letters was forwarded to the Secretary to the State Government.
The Supreme Court had ruled unanimously that the election was conducted in breach of relevant laws, noting that voter registration had not continued until 90 days before the election and proper notices were not issued as required by law.
As of press time, RSIEC had not made any official comment on the resignations. However, the commission has already set August 9, 2025, as the date for fresh local government elections.
Despite the resignations, many residents believe the August elections will proceed as planned, suggesting the situation would have been more critical if the commission chairman had stepped down.
Supporters of former Governor Nyesom Wike, however, see the resignations as a potential blow to the current state administration.
Former RSIEC commissioners Dr. Hope Barango-Tariah and Prof. Ken Nweke downplayed the impact of the departures, emphasizing that the commission could only be paralyzed if the chairman resigned.
They cited Section 7 (7) of the RSIEC Law, stating, “The validity of any proceedings of the commission shall not be affected by a vacancy in its membership or by any defect in the appointment of a member.”
“This means RSIEC is legally empowered to function effectively, regardless of these resignations. The commission remains intact, focused, and fully prepared to conduct free, fair and credible elections on August 9, 2025,” they added.
Meanwhile, Rivers IPAC Chairman Soema Osaro called on political parties to begin preparations for the upcoming local elections.
