Supreme court rules election of Rivers local government as null and void

Saturday, March 1, 2025 - The Supreme court has annulled the local government election conducted on the 5th of October 2024 by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

In a judgment delivered today, February 28, the five-man panel of judges led by Justice Jamilu Tukur declared the election is invalid for grossly violating the Electoral Act.

Reading the judgement, Justice Tukur said the action of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission is declared 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 held that processes leading to the conduct of a local government election were abridged in clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act.