The Rivers State House of Assembly has demonstrated its commitment to legislative reform by passing three pivotal bills, poised to reshape the state’s governance structure. These bills, approved during the Assembly’s 136th Legislative Sitting on Friday, now await Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s assent.
The legislative package includes the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, 2025; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, 2025; and the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025.
The Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, 2025, aims to solidify the Assembly’s authority by granting it the necessary powers, privileges, and immunities to effectively execute its legislative mandate. This initiative seeks to domesticate the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act of 2017, ensuring alignment with national standards.
The RSIEC Bill, 2025, represents a significant overhaul of the state’s electoral framework. It repeals the existing 2018 State Electoral Law and enacts a new one, aligning the establishment, composition, and functions of RSIEC with the 2022 Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Speaker Martin Chike Amaewhule emphasized the bill’s importance in ensuring electoral processes are in line with national legislation.
The Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025, seeks to modernize local governance by repealing the 2018, 2023, and 2024 Local Government Laws and enacting a new law that reflects contemporary administrative practices. Amaewhule highlighted the necessity of aligning the Local Government Law with constitutional provisions.
Speaker Amaewhule praised the Assembly members for their dedication and resilience, particularly for sacrificing their recess to advance these critical bills. “For sacrificing your recess in the interest of the people, history will be kind to you,” he stated, commending their commitment to serving the state.
The Assembly has adjourned sine die, marking the completion of this legislative session
