Despite protests from outgoing chairmen, Rivers State Government said it is preparing for local government elections.

Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) announced that local government elections will be held on October 5, 2024.

The announcement was made by RSIEC Chairman Adolphus Enebeli during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt.

The commission on Monday released guidelines and timetables for the upcoming local government elections.

The proposed elections come after Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed interim committee chairmen to manage the affairs of the local government areas, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the previously elected chairmen.

The move paved the way for the conduct of fresh elections to fill the positions.

This was coming as the police operatives remained at local government area council secretariats following the leadership crisis rocking the LGAs.

The decision to conduct local government elections has however fueled the political crisis because it adds another shade to the political tussle as now embattled chairmen loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike, lay claims that the State Assembly had extended their tenure by six months.

However, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) met with political party leaders and stakeholders to move forward with the election, ignoring the protests.

The outgone chairmen refused to vacate their offices, citing the repealed Local Government Administration law, which they claim extended their tenure.

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