A Nigerian government official on Sunday addressed the Supreme Court’s annulment of local elections, after months of silence, with the view that while he disagreed with the decision, he would respect the court’s ruling. The Supreme Court of Nigeria nullified the local government elections in the Rivers State on October 5, 2024.
A government party appealed local election results, and the Federal High Court ruled that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) failed to adhere to proper electoral procedures stipulated by the Electoral Act 2010, acting in contravention to the 90-notice to stakeholders before any elections. The Rivers State government disagreed with this judgment and appealed the decision.
The Appeal Court overturned the Federal High Court decision on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction over Rivers State electoral processes. The original appellants challenged the Appeal Court’s decision at the Supreme Court, which quashed the Appeal Court’s judgment. It found that there was no evidence that the RSIEC adhered to the conditions within the Electoral Act.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara commented on the ruling on Sunday. He said that the local government has not acted in a way “to trample on the rule of law.” However, he accepted the ruling, which means that currently elected local government members are no longer legally in office. He said, in a press conference, “Although we disagree with the judgement, we are bound to obey the order made therein as a law abiding government.”
Governor Fubara added that, after conferring with his lawyers, he aims to acquire a certified copy of the judgment by Friday, which he will study and utilize to come up with a resolution to “move the state forward.” He directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the local government councils until a fresh election could be held.
The ruling is of note, as local government councils play crucial roles in Rivers State development and fund management. Further, Rivers State is currently facing a political crisis. Concern is expressed over the Supreme Court ruling, and the potential resulting instability in the Niger Delta region.