KEY POINTS
- Rivers Assembly orders the arrest of RSIEC chairman and four commissioners.
- Three RSIEC commissioners have resigned following a Supreme Court ruling.
- Lawmakers demand accountability over the annulled local government elections.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued an arrest warrant for Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Retd.), Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), and four other commissioners after they failed to appear before the lawmakers.
The warrant came after the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum given to the officials to appear before the Assembly on Monday.
The initial deadline was set for last Friday, but after failing to show up, lawmakers extended it, only for the officials to remain absent.
During Monday’s plenary session, Speaker Martin Amaewhule led the unanimous approval of the arrest warrant, reinforcing the Assembly’s demand for accountability.
Lawmakers expressed frustration over the refusal of the RSIEC officials to honor the summons, especially given the recent Supreme Court ruling that nullified the state’s October 5, 2024, local government elections.
Resignations follow Supreme Court ruling on election annulment
Earlier on Monday, Ibiemebo Evelyn Thompson, the RSIEC Commissioner for Transport, Logistics, and Store, announced her resignation.
According to Vanguard, she cited the Supreme Court’s ruling as the primary reason for stepping down.
Thompson’s resignation follows similar moves by two other RSIEC commissioners, Lazberry Nnah and Professor Simeon Weli, who resigned last week after the court invalidated the local government elections.
Their departures have further fueled speculation about internal disagreements within the electoral commission and mounting pressure from state authorities.
With the RSIEC chairman yet to publicly address his refusal to appear before the Assembly, questions remain about his next move.
Lawmakers are demanding clarity on RSIEC’s plans following the annulment of the election, but so far, there has been no official response from Enebeli.
What’s next for the RSIEC chairman and commissioners?
The Assembly’s arrest warrant raises legal and political tensions in Rivers State, particularly as the RSIEC chairman and commissioners face mounting scrutiny over their roles in the annulled elections.
With several commissioners already stepping down, speculation is growing that Enebeli may be forced to resign rather than face possible arrest.
Meanwhile, Speaker Amaewhule has insisted that the legislative body will not tolerate non-compliance with its directives.
The absence of law compliance would result in additional deterioration of public trust toward the state’s electoral process.
As the political crisis unfolds, the focus remains on whether Justice Enebeli and the remaining RSIEC officials will comply with the Assembly’s demands or continue to challenge the lawmakers’ authority.
With tensions running high, Rivers State is bracing for the next chapter in its unfolding political drama.
