In a judgment delivered today, February 28, the Supreme Court has nullified the local government election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission on October 5, 2024.
The five-man panel of judges, led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, declared the election invalid due to gross violations of the Electoral Act.
The court’s decision was based on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s failure to comply with electoral guidelines. Specifically, the commission continued voter registration even after announcing the election date, which is a clear violation of the Electoral Act .
Additionally, the court held that the processes leading to the conduct of the local government election were abridged, violating Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
This ruling is a significant development in the ongoing dispute over the local government election in Rivers State.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) had filed an appeal challenging the election results, which the Supreme Court has now upheld.
