The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued an arrest warrant for the State Electoral Commissioner, following the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum given to him to comply with legislative directives regarding the ongoing electoral issues in the state.
The ultimatum, which was issued earlier this week, required the State Electoral Commissioner to appear before the Assembly and provide an update on the status of the electoral process, addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders. However, as the deadline passed without any response or appearance from the official, the Assembly took decisive action, leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant.
The decision comes after multiple failed attempts by the Assembly to engage with the Commissioner, who has come under increasing scrutiny for alleged irregularities in the state's electoral operations. Lawmakers expressed their concerns over the perceived lack of accountability and transparency in the conduct of elections, which has sparked growing discontent among citizens and political parties.
Rivers State Speaker, Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, emphasized the Assembly's commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all government officials remain accountable to the people. "The actions of the State Electoral Commissioner have raised serious concerns about the integrity of our electoral process. The Assembly will not stand by idly while the democratic rights of our citizens are compromised. We are prepared to take every necessary step to ensure accountability," Ibani said.