THE duo of Dr Lazbery Nyebuchi Nnah and Prof. Simeon Emenike Weli have resigned from the
Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In their separate letters of resignation addressed to the Chairman/Chief Electoral Commissioner, they both cited the recent judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria which annulled the 5th October 2024 local government council elections in the state as well as the unfolding events in the Commission,
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that following the Supreme Court verdict which nullified the poll conducted across the 23 council areas of the state, RSIEC chaired by Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Rtd) fixed a fresh exercise for the 9th of August 2025. This decision has not gone down well with pro-loyalists The Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly recognised by the Supreme Court has equally kicked against having a fresh election. They have twice now summoned Hon. Justice Enebeli to appear before the lawmakers.
The lawmakers had on Wednesday issued the RSIEC chairman and his commissioners a 48-hour ultimatum to appear before it to, among others, explain the conduct of the 5 October 2024, election with funds that were not approved by the state legislature.
However, following the failure of the RSIEC leadership to appear before the House, the lawmakers extended the ultimatum by 72 hours.
The House resolved that the new date was to enable the chairman and other officials to appear before it on Monday 10 March 2025.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, titled, ‘Rivers State Assembly opens another window for RSIEC chairman and commissioners to appear before the House’ was later sent to newsmen on Friday.
The statement reads, “The House resolved to give another opportunity to the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to appear before it to explain the commission’s actions and inactions in the purported conduct of the ill-starred 5 October 2024 local government elections in the state with unbudgeted expenditures.”
Debating on the information, the statement indicated that members spoke ‘glowingly’ of the integrity of the Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, being a retired Judge of the Rivers State High Court and urged the House to give him another opportunity to appear before the House.
The retired judge has in turn approached a court of law on the subject matter.
Eighteen-Eleven Media