The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has confirmed that the local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024, will proceed as planned, despite recent legal obstacles and security concerns. In a statement released on Friday, RSIEC made it clear that “there is no going back” on the elections.

The announcement follows a Federal High Court ruling, where Justice Peter Lifu barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC for the polls, citing procedural breaches. Additionally, the state police command had announced it would not provide security for the election, citing the court’s decision.

However, RSIEC Commissioner for Civil Education and Public Affairs, Tobin Tamunotonye, emphasized in a public statement that the election would still take place as scheduled. “For the avoidance of doubt, we emphasize unequivocally that the 5th October 2024 Local Government Council Election in Rivers State will hold as scheduled, and there is no going back,” the statement read.

Citing the RSIEC Law of 2018, a September 4, 2024, judgment by Justice I.P.C. Igwe of the Rivers State High Court, and provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the electoral body affirmed its legal authority to conduct the local government polls.

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RSIEC revealed that non-sensitive election materials had already been distributed to polling units across the state and that updated voter registers for 2023 had been provided to all 6,366 polling units. The commission described the election as “critical” and emphasized its alignment with directives from the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Additionally, RSIEC dismissed rumors that its Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), had resigned, calling the claims “mischievous, false, and baseless.” The commission reassured the public that Justice Enebeli remains fully in charge, dispelling any doubts about his leadership.

The upcoming local government election is seen as a key democratic exercise for Rivers State, with RSIEC urging voters to participate actively. Voting centers are expected to open on time, and all materials have already been distributed to ensure a smooth electoral process.