Supreme Court nullifies Rivers State LG election over electoral act violations

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has declared the local government election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on October 5, 2024, as invalid.

The apex court, in its judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, ruled that the election failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, rendering the entire process null and void.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Tukur emphasized that the RSIEC violated key electoral procedures by continuing voter registration beyond the legally stipulated period, even after announcing the election date.

The court held that this action amounted to a fundamental breach of electoral guidelines and a disregard for due process.

“The actions of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission stand void for lack of substantial compliance with the Electoral Act,” Justice Tukur stated.

“The processes leading to the conduct of the local government election were improperly abridged, which is a clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act.”

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The Supreme Court’s ruling effectively invalidates all results declared by RSIEC from the October 5 election, raising questions about the future of local governance in the state.

Political stakeholders and civil society groups have since called for accountability in the electoral process, urging RSIEC to uphold transparency and fairness in future elections.

Legal experts have also weighed in on the verdict, describing it as a significant step towards ensuring electoral integrity in Nigeria. Meanwhile, opposition parties and concerned residents of Rivers State have welcomed the ruling, citing it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

With the Supreme Court’s decision, the state now faces the challenge of organizing a fresh local government election in compliance with the Electoral Act.

It remains to be seen how the Rivers State government and RSIEC will respond to the ruling and what measures will be put in place to prevent similar violations in the future.