- Safiu Kehinde
The Supreme Court has sacked Rivers State local government chairmen, declaring the election invalid over gross violation of the Electoral Act.
Recall that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had with the backing of the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, conducted the October 5th 2024 election despite call for its suspension.
Coupled with warning by Fubara’s party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a Federal High Court ruling also ordered the suspension of the election.
The governor, however, defied the calls as the election was held with the Action People’s Party (APP) sweeping the polls.
Meanwhile, in a judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court declared the election held by RSIEC void for lack of substantial compliance to the Electoral Act and guidelines as the electoral body continued voter registration even after announcing an election date.
The court further stated that processes leading to the conduct of a local government election were abridged in clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act.