Citypost News Desk
The Supreme Court has nullified the local government election conducted in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), citing violations of the Electoral Act.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur ruled that RSIEC’s decision to proceed with voter registration even after announcing the election date constituted a fundamental breach of electoral guidelines.
The court declared the election void due to a lack of substantial compliance with the law, emphasizing that the entire process leading to the election was flawed and in clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
In a separate ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from disbursing funds to the Rivers State Government until it complies with previous court orders.
Additionally, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-member panel of the court dismissed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cross-appeal challenging the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The court ordered Amaewhule and his fellow lawmakers to resume legislative activities immediately.
The justices held that it was unconstitutional for Governor Fubara to present the 2024 appropriation bill before a four-member assembly, effectively denying twenty-eight constituencies proper representation.
The court ruled that Fubara’s actions constituted a blatant violation of a prior ruling that mandated him to re-present the budget before a legally recognized assembly led by Amaewhule.
Furthermore, the court condemned the governor’s handling of the alleged defection of twenty-eight lawmakers, describing it as an act of political intimidation aimed at preventing the Assembly from fulfilling its constitutional duties.
It also denounced the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, labeling it an abuse of executive power intended to frustrate legislative proceedings under Amaewhule’s leadership.
