•Assembly issues arrest warrant for RSIEC boss, commissioners
•More RSIEC officials resign, cite Supreme Court judgment, ex-gov preaches peace
•Fear not, we’ll emerge stronger, gov assures Rivers people

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resign within 48 hours or be impeached.

Also, the House of Assembly, at its 133rd Legislative Sitting, yesterday, issued a warrant of arrest for the Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), and his commissioners, citing Section 129(1) (d) of the Constitution.

Less than 48 hours after two RSIEC commissioners resigned following the ongoing political crisis in the state, another commissioner, Ibierembo Thompson, has resigned.

In a similar development, former Governor of Rivers State, Rufus Ada-George, urged the parties involved in the political impasse to refrain from inflammatory statements, unnecessary ultimatum and threats for the overall peace of Rivers.

However, Fubara has said despite the ensuing political circumstances against his administration, Rivers people will emerge stronger, eventually, urging the people to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the overall interest of the state.

Rivers APC gave the order in Port Harcourt, yesterday, warning that if the governor refused to resign, he would be impeached, citing many impeachable offences against him as outlined by the Supreme Court judgment, including running a government with 12.5 per cent of the Assembly.

The chairman, Tony Okocha, also described the governor’s invitation to the House of Assembly via a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), as ‘absurd’ and ’embarrassing’.

According to Okocha, the present political situation in the state does not warrant a meeting of ‘convivance’ as outlined by the contents of the governor’s letter to the lawmakers, but strictly business.

He stated that the governor had ample opportunity for reconciliation following President Bola Tinubu’s peace meeting and other calls for peace and reconciliation with the lawmakers, but he snubbed the counsel.

He insisted that the governor should go to the Assembly to present the budget and list of commissioner nominees.

THE warrant of arrest was issued due to the reported failure of Justice Enebeli and other commissioners to appear before the Assembly.

The RSIEC officials were summoned to explain the commission’s alleged malfeasance in the conduct of the October 5, 2024, local council elections in the state, as well as the commission’s plans to generate funds for the proposed 2025 election.

Before the issuance of the warrant, three former members of the commission, who recently resigned, appeared before the House to explain their roles.

House Leader, Major Jack, reminded the House of its powers under Section 129 (1)(d) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, emphasising the refusal of Justice Enebeli and other members of the commission to honour the summon.

The Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, decried the situation where those who appeared before the House for screening and confirmation, when they were seeking to be appointed, treat summons from the House with levity, adding that the House was empowered by Section 128 of the Constitution to investigate within its legislative competence; hence, Enebeli and others must be brought to the House for questioning on the billions of Rivers people’s money they spent in the election.

When the Speaker put the question, the House voted in the affirmative, issuing a warrant of arrest on the RSIEC chairman and his commissioners.

Earlier, the House read the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, 2025; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, 2025, and the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025.

THE RSIEC resigned members cited the recent Supreme Court judgment over the conduct of the October 5, 2024, local council elections in the state for their emergency exit from office. The two commissioners that resigned earlier are Lazberry Nnah and Professor Simeon Weli.

The latest resignation brought to three the number of commissioners that left the electoral body since the reinstated pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers led by Amaewhule issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Enebeli to appear before the House last week.

In the resignation letter dated March 9, 2025, and addressed to the chairman of RSIEC, Thompson wrote: “I write to formally resign my appointment as a member of RSIEC in charge of transport, logistics and stores. This decision was necessitated by the recent judgment from the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which annulled the October 5, 2024, local council elections in Rivers, and the subsequent development within the state.

“I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve, as well as the valuable experiences and insights gained during my tenure. I wish the commission the best.”

Ada-George, who expressed concern about the fragile peace in the state, reminded the political gladiators in the crisis of the rich history and the remarkable progress made over the years in the state.

He said: “It appears that we are drifting far into the ocean. Butwe still need to aim higher for peaceful co-existence and greater developments.”

FUBARA, therefore, urged his teeming supporters, and indeed, well-meaning Rivers people, not to be disheartened by recent turn of events, but cheer up, knowing that God does not abandon his projects.

The governor spoke at the inauguration of the Palace of Nyeweali Akpor Kingdom and a magnificent residential quarter for the King, Eze Levi Amos Oriebe, built and furnished by his administration at Ozuoba in Obi/Akpor Local Council, yesterday.

He pointed to the ungodly motive of those pushing to disrupt governance by worsening the feisty political relationship, and insisted that his path would remain ensuring peace, and warned against any act of lawlessness.