Rivers State government has set a timetable to guide the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, in the conduct of local government elections.
Governor Nyesom Wike had during the weekend , sworn in six new members of Rivers State Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in Port Harcourt.
While charging the body on credibility and commitment, Wike challenged the new members to, “Show Nigerians that you can conduct credible elections into council offices.”
He said that if the commission issues notice for elections in February, elections could hold first week of May, setting the stage for elected councils’ inauguration by May 25, 2018.
The amended RSIEC law, he noted, stipulates 90 days notice before the conduct of elections, recommending that RSIEC should commence the process for the conduct of councill elections as soon as possible.
“Yes, we are in court, whatever the outcome will be, by May 25, 2018, the issues would have been resolved. The tenure would have lapsed by May 25, 2018,” he said.
He assured of release of funds for the conduct of council polls as appropriated by the state House of Assembly, vowing never to interfere in the workings of RSIEC.
Meanwhile, the All Progressive Congress (APC) had in their reaction, advised Governor Nyesom Wike not to waste Rivers state resources conducting the local government elections as the matter is still being decided in the court.
The party chided the Governor in what it termed “lack of obedience to the rule of law” saying that Rivers state is not a garrisoned state and urged him to take a clue from president Mohammedu Buhari on how to manage a state.
