The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued an arrest warrant for the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd). This arrest order was given during a Monday plenary session, following Enebeli’s failure to comply with a 72-hour summons to appear before the lawmakers. The summons demanded his presence to answer questions regarding the annulled local government elections of October 2024. An initial 48-hour deadline was extended by 24 hours to allow Enebeli and other RSIEC commissioners the opportunity to appear.
RSIEC Response and Resignations
In response to the Assembly’s actions, Enebeli and his commissioners have filed a lawsuit at the State High Court challenging the legislators’ decisions. Additionally, pressure from the Assembly has caused series of resignations within the RSIEC. Ibierembo Everlyn Thompson, a member of the commission, resigned, becoming the third commissioner to leave the body following the 48-hour ultimatum and subsequent extension.
Her resignation, along with those of Lazberry Nnah and Professor Simeon Weli, cites the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the October 5th, 2024, local government elections as a key factor. The resignations came in anticipation of a potential bench warrant from the House of Assembly.
Background: The Annulled Elections
The controversy stems from the Supreme Court’s ruling that the October 2024 local government elections were conducted in violation of the Electoral Act and other relevant regulations. The Rivers State House of Assembly is seeking clarification from the RSIEC regarding the funding and conduct of these elections. The Assembly’s extended deadline aimed to allow the RSIEC chairman and commissioners to explain the circumstances surrounding the annulment and address concerns about election funding sources.
Conclusion
The ongoing conflict between the Rivers State House of Assembly and the RSIEC highlights significant tensions surrounding the annulled local government elections. The Assembly’s decision to issue an arrest warrant, coupled with the multiple resignations within the RSIEC, underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for further legal battles. The outcome of the court case filed by the RSIEC and the Assembly’s next steps remain to be seen, but the situation clearly points to a serious breakdown in governance related to the October 2024 elections.
