The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), Dr. Michael Odeh, has assured that the commission will do everything within its mandate to ensure the August 30, 2025 local government council elections are hitch-free and set a benchmark for democratic governance in the state.
Odeh gave the assurance during an interactive session with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. He called for the support and partnership of CSOs to ensure a smooth, free, fair, and credible electoral process.
He appealed to the groups to assist RISIEC in acting as voter educators and mediators ahead of the polls, particularly in rural communities, stressing that civic education is critical to reducing misinformation and increasing voter participation.
“The meeting will strengthen our relationship with CSOs in the area of voter education. CSOs are the voice that amplifies voter awareness; their role cannot be overemphasized,” Odeh said.
According to him, credible elections are a product of collective effort involving the election management body, security agencies, civil society, and the media.
RISIEC Commissioner in charge of Budget, Statistics, Research, and Training, Professor Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, disclosed that budgetary provisions for the smooth conduct of the elections have been made. He said non-sensitive materials have been printed, logistics arrangements concluded, and field officers trained.
Also see: Mercy Chinwo, Husband Welcomes Second Child
“We have met with all stakeholders, and necessary preparations are in place to ensure a smooth exercise,” Torbira stated.
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Executive Coordinator of Relief International Africa, Isaac Green, pledged the group’s commitment to working closely with the commission to educate citizens in both rural and urban areas, counter misinformation, and encourage voter turnout.
“Our role is to educate, observe, and ensure communities are involved in the process while trusting in the commission’s ability to deliver. We are not partisan,” Green affirmed.
Our correspondent reports that a representative of the Commissioner of Police also briefed the meeting on security arrangements for the forthcoming polls.
Meanwhile, the RISIEC Commissioner for Administration and Legal Services, Professor Chidi Haliday, confirmed receipt of a list of candidates from the Chief Emeka Beke led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but clarified that the submission was only accepted for record purposes and will not be recognized for the elections.
Haliday explained that the faction did not meet the deadline for the submission of nomination forms and that RISIEC did not monitor its primaries. He stressed that no court has the power to impose an executive on any political party and reiterated that the commission will not interfere in party leadership disputes.
