The Supreme Court on Friday declared the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State invalid, illegal, null, and void, overturning the victory of the All Peoples Party (APP).
The apex court ruled that the election was unlawful as the Rivers State Electoral Commission failed to meet the necessary legal requirements.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur stated that the election violated Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022, rendering it invalid.
Earlier Court Ruling Against the Election
Before the election took place, a Federal High Court in Abuja had, on September 30, 2024, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the election.
The court also prohibited the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the polls.
Delivering the ruling in a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Justice Peter Lifu held that RSIEC acted improperly by scheduling the elections without complying with legal procedures.
Key Legal Violations
- The mandatory 90-day notice required before an election was not published by RSIEC.
- The voter register update and revision were not completed before fixing the election date.
Consequently, Justice Lifu barred INEC from releasing the certified voter register until all legal requirements were met. He also prohibited RSIEC from using any voter register for the October 5, 2024, elections.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Rivers State local government election results stand nullified, and fresh elections may be required.
