The Rivers Peace Initiative states that the proposed local government elections in Rivers State are necessary to restore democratic governance at the grassroots level, which, according to them, will eventually pave the way for the reinstatement of democratic governance at the State level.

The position of the group aligned with the comments of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during his media parley in Abuja on Monday.

The Convener of the group, Obinna Ebogidi, while speaking in Port Harcourt on Monday, noted that Rivers State has witnessed prolonged political instability and chaos, stating that the growing contentions surrounding the August 30, 2025, Local Council elections should be tamed.

He said it was time for the residents, stakeholders and civil society organisations to prioritise peace, healing and rebuilding instead of protesting.

Recall that controversies have continued to trail the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s (RSIEC) board and its timetable for the August 30 Local Council elections.

Some political analysts faulted the authority of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, in reconstituting the board, while others criticised the timetable for failing to meet the 90-day notice requirement for political parties.

However, the Peace Movement claimed that the revised RSIEC timetable is a continuation of an earlier timetable interrupted by the emergency regime. The group also noted that the revised RSIEC timetable may be imperfect, but insisted that it offers a pathway forward and urged all to embrace it to build and uphold public confidence in the state.

He explained, “The RSIEC board was not nominated by the State Sole Administrator but by President Bola Tinubu and screened by the National Assembly, a process that affirms their legal standard. This is not a brand-new election timetable; it is a legal continuation of an earlier scheduled election.

“We understand the concerns of citizens and CSOs regarding the election timetable. These are valid questions in any democracy, but we must appeal to the collective conscience that Rivers State has witnessed prolonged political instability. This is not an endorsement of RSIEC; it is a sober reminder that the restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots is too vital and too urgent to be lost in endless circles of contention.

“As a Peace Initiative, we believe that it is not right to open old wounds. We urge RSIEC to engage the public in all their activities and make all the processes transparent.”

He admonished the CSOs to raise civic conversations above antagonism, move from mere criticism to courageous participation, hold the process and the government accountable, avoid being pushed by personal interests that will endanger the state, move away from a cycle of protest and embrace a healing and democratic system.