Crisis In Rivers! Supreme Court Strikes Down LG Elections, Orders Immediate Sack Of Chairmen

Crisis In Rivers! Supreme Court Strikes Down LG Elections, Orders Immediate Sack Of Chairmen

The Supreme Court has ruled that the local government elections held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, are invalid.

Ireporteronline reports that the apex court delivered its verdict on Friday, marking one of several rulings related to ongoing legal battles in the state…….READ MORE 

In a judgment read by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court annulled the election, citing gross violations of the Electoral Act. Justice Tukur declared that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) failed to adhere to electoral guidelines, including continuing voter registration after announcing the election date.

The Supreme Court emphasized that the election process was flawed and violated Section 150 of the Electoral Act, rendering the outcome null and void.

In a separate ruling, the court recognized Martins Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye led a five-member panel that unanimously dismissed a cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which challenged the legitimacy of the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership.

The court directed Speaker Amaewhule and his colleagues to resume legislative duties immediately. It also criticized Governor Fubara’s decision to present the 2024 budget to a four-member Assembly, stating that this deprived 28 constituencies of proper representation and violated an earlier court directive.

The ruling marks a significant development in the political crisis rocking Rivers State, with stakeholders awaiting further reactions and implications.