Iruoma Okpalaebube
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed readiness to participate in the August 30 local government council polls in the State.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had announced August 30th, 2025, as the new date for the conduct of local government election in the State.
The RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Michael Odey disclosed this at the RSIEC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Monday, in a stakeholders’ meeting to unveil the revised 2025 timetable and guidelines for the upcoming polls.
Odey explained that the decision to postpone the election was necessitated by the state of emergency declared in the state, which disrupted earlier plans.
He noted that in view of the new realities, it became imperative to adjust the electoral calendar.
The revised timetable includes new dates for party primaries, screening of candidates, campaign periods, and the main council elections.
Stakeholders, including party leaders, electoral observers, and media representatives, were present at the unveiling to review and discuss the updated guidelines.
According to the revised guidelines, participating political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between July 31 and August 3, 2025, and submit the names of their candidates on August 3 and August 4, 2025.
The RSIEC Chairman informed all invited Stakeholders’ in the meeting that the electioneering process would begin on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, as the recruitment of ad-hoc staff for the elections would be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The agency also said the list of candidates would be displayed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
Speaking with journalists on the development, the State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, confirmed the readiness of the party to participate in the polls.
He said, “As you can see and witnessed, you did not hear people shouting and showing aversion because things are done properly.
“Recall that sometime ago, when this process was to hold, it was marred because things were not done properly, and that’s why some of us went to court. The APC in Rivers State is fully prepared for the election, any-day any-time.
“Don’t forget that we have always said that we are hundred percent ready for election. The Chairman and his team are not new to election management matters.
“As a party, the Rivers APC, we have no doubt in their ability and capacity to organise a free, fair, peaceful, and credible local government election in Rivers State as proposed”.
Okocha commended RSIEC for doing the right thing by taking the right step, noted that the electoral empire is qualified to conduct the elections.