Residents of Rivers State are set for the much-debated local council elections today in the state.

After the announcement of August 30, 2025, as the date for the council polls, serious debate and protests greeted the planned election.

While some civil society organisations argued that the election won’t hold considering the current emergency regime in the state, others sued the state government and the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, asking the court to halt the polls and compel the government to follow laid down procedures in the constitution before conducting the polls.

However, findings revealed that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSEIC) was ready to conduct the election despite the opposition by some political parties and stakeholders

The State Secretariat was closed by 12 noon on Friday and civil servants were compelled to go home and participate in the polls.

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), had on Thursday given directives that all government offices must close by 12 noon Friday.

The acting Head of Service, Dr. Iyingi Brown, had in the letter, explained that the early closure from work was to give workers time to travel and vote in today’s local council elections.

Heads of offices were told to inform their staff, and ensure everyonefollowed the order.

Complying with the directive, civil servants vacated their offices early.