Rivers LG Election: RSIEC Chairman Urges Aggrieved Parties To Seek Legal Redress.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has called on candidates and political parties dissatisfied with the outcome of the 30 August 2025 local government elections to pursue their grievances through legal channels. Speaking at a certificate presentation ceremony in Port Harcourt on Monday, 1 September 2025, RSIEC Chairman Michael Odey issued certificates of return to 23 chairmen-elect and 319 ward councillors-elect, hailing the polls as a “proud moment for Nigeria’s democracy.”
Odey, addressing the newly elected officials at the RSIEC headquarters, described the certificates as mandates for service rather than mere symbols of victory. He urged the chairmen and councillors to govern with humility, transparency, and fidelity to the law, rejecting the “winner-takes-all” mentality. “The legitimacy you receive today will be sustained only by the quality of your leadership tomorrow,” he said, encouraging them to serve all constituents, regardless of political affiliation. He also commended stakeholders, including security agencies, community leaders, civil society organisations, and the media, for their role in ensuring a peaceful, credible, and orderly electoral process.
The RSIEC chairman acknowledged potential dissatisfaction among some candidates, advising them to seek redress through the courts. “The law has provided a channel for redress. We encourage the use of lawful and peaceful processes,” Odey stated, adding that the commission would conduct a post-election review to identify areas for improvement and enhance future electoral processes. The elections, which saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) secure 20 of the 23 chairmanship seats and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) win three, were praised by the Rivers State coalition of political parties for being crisis-free.
Speaking on behalf of the elected officials, Allwell Ihunda, chairman-elect of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, commended President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ikot Ibas (retd) for fostering a peaceful electoral environment. Ihunda, elected on the PDP platform, also praised RSIEC for conducting a credible process and assured residents of democratic dividends. The newly elected chairmen were sworn in by Vice Admiral Ibas, who charged them to prioritise grassroots development and selfless service.
However, the elections faced criticism from opposition figures, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, who described them as a “tragic mockery of democracy,” and Jake Epelle of TAF Africa, who called them a “democratic scam” and unconstitutional. The Labour Party demanded urgent electoral and judicial reforms, alleging the polls elevated “absurdity to statecraft.” In response, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike dismissed the criticisms, noting that no court had declared the elections illegal and emphasising their compliance with legal standards.
The call for legal redress follows earlier controversies, including a Federal High Court ruling on 30 September 2024 that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to RSIEC and prohibited security agencies from providing protection for the polls. Despite these challenges, a Rivers State High Court ruling on 4 September 2024 mandated RSIEC to proceed with the elections using the 2023 voter register, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal on 21 November 2024. As Rivers State navigates its complex political landscape, Odey’s urging for lawful resolution underscores the importance of upholding democratic processes through established legal frameworks.