The Supreme Court of Nigeria has declared the Rivers State local government elections held on October 5, 2024, invalid.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, a five-member panel of the apex court nullified the polls, setting aside the Court of Appeal’s decision that had overturned a lower court’s judgment on jurisdictional grounds.
With this verdict, the Supreme Court reinstated the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had previously restrained the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) from conducting the elections, citing the need for an updated voter register.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide the updated register to RSIEC to facilitate a proper electoral process.
Furthermore, the court had barred security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), from providing security for voters during the election.
With the Supreme Court’s decision, the Rivers State local government elections stand annulled, reinforcing the initial legal concerns raised about the process.
