The Supreme Court has annulled the Rivers State local government election held on October 5, 2024, due to severe violations of the Electoral Act by the RSIEC. All elected chairmen were dismissed, triggering a governance crisis and calls for new, lawful elections to restore democratic integrity.
In a seismic judicial decision that has rattled the foundations of local governance in Rivers State, the Supreme Court has declared the local government election conducted on 5th October 2024 null and void.
Delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the judgement lambasts the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for grossly violating the Electoral Act—a violation so severe that it has resulted in the sacking of all local government chairmen elected in the controversial exercise.
At the heart of this ruling lies the RSIEC’s flagrant disregard for statutory norms. Justice Tukur’s judgement decried the electoral body’s decision to continue voter registration after announcing an election date.
This breach, he argued, represented a clear deviation from the mandated processes outlined in Section 150 of the Electoral Act. Such an aberration not only undermines the legal framework governing local elections but also calls into question the legitimacy of the entire electoral exercise.
The ill-fated election was intended to reinvigorate grassroots democracy in Rivers State. Instead, the process has become mired in controversy.
The RSIEC’s failure to adhere to the prescribed guidelines has precipitated a governance crisis, leaving communities bereft of effective local leadership.
Critics contend that the RSIEC’s actions were nothing short of reckless, designed to fast-track a flawed electoral process at the expense of democratic principles.
This is a significant setback in an environment where transparent and credible elections are paramount for fostering public trust in government institutions.
Political analysts have been quick to point out that this landmark decision is both a corrective measure and a portent of further electoral disputes.
The sacking of the local government chairmen has created an immediate void in local administration, sparking heated debates among political stakeholders and community leaders.
On one hand, the ruling is being hailed as a necessary intervention to restore the sanctity of the electoral process.
On the other, it has ignited concerns over the imminent disruption of local governance, leaving vital public services and community projects in jeopardy.
The Supreme Court’s decision sends a stern warning to electoral bodies across Nigeria: strict adherence to the Electoral Act is non-negotiable.
The judgement underscores that any deviation from established procedures not only invalidates the election but also destabilises the broader democratic framework. It is a reminder that the rule of law must prevail over expedient political manoeuvrings.
For Rivers State, this ruling marks a critical juncture where the judiciary has decisively reasserted its authority, prioritising legal integrity over political expedience.
The fallout from this decision is already palpable. Local communities, now without duly elected chairmen, face uncertainty regarding the continuity of governance.
Political parties are bracing for a turbulent period as calls mount for new, free and fair elections to be conducted under strict compliance with the law.
As the dust begins to settle, the broader implications for electoral reform in Nigeria are becoming increasingly apparent. The Supreme Court’s ruling is not merely a legal pronouncement—it is a clarion call for accountability and transparency in all future electoral processes.