Rivers Assembly Issues Arrest Warrant for RSIEC Chairman Amid Political Turmoil
The Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant of arrest for Adolphus Enebeli, chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), after he failed to appear before the assembly within the stipulated deadline.
The assembly took this decisive action on Monday, following the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum issued to Enebeli and other RSIEC commissioners. Lawmakers had initially summoned the RSIEC chairman on March 5, instructing him to appear before the assembly on March 7 with relevant documents explaining how the commission had utilized state funds “without an appropriation law” since January 2024.
Despite threats of legal repercussions, Enebeli and his team failed to honor the invitation, prompting the assembly to extend a final 72-hour ultimatum, which lapsed on March 10. The lawmakers, citing the chairman’s continued defiance, moved forward with issuing a warrant of arrest.
The tension surrounding RSIEC stems from its announcement on March 5 of fresh local government elections set for August 9, 2025. This decision was reportedly made in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling, which on February 28 nullified the previous LGA elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
In its judgment, the apex court, led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, ruled that the conditions outlined in Section 150(3) of the Electoral Act had not been met before RSIEC organized the elections, rendering the process invalid.
The political crisis in Rivers State has intensified amid a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Amaewhule-led assembly faction, which remains loyal to Wike, has been at the forefront of challenging decisions made under the Fubara administration.
