Supreme Court declares Rivers Local government elections invalid

The Supreme Court has nullified the Rivers State local government elections held on October 5, 2024, citing a lack of an updated voter register

 

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Supreme Court of Nigeria has declared the Rivers State local government elections, held on October 5, 2024, null and void.

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The ruling was delivered on Friday by a five-member panel led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, overturning the previous decision of the Court of Appeal.

In its judgment, the apex court reinstated the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which had barred the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) from conducting the elections.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had previously ruled that the polls could not proceed without an updated voter register, thereby restraining RSIEC from moving forward with the election process.

The Supreme Court’s decision also upheld the trial court’s directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide an updated voter register before any elections could take place in Rivers State.

Additionally, security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), were prohibited from offering security assistance for the elections.

This ruling marks a significant development in Rivers State’s electoral process, reinforcing the importance of procedural compliance in local government polls.

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The verdict also aligns with ongoing legal battles regarding governance in the state, following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to block Rivers’ funds and recognise Amaewhule’s assembly leadership.