The Supreme Court of Nigeria has scheduled February 10, 2025, to hear two separate appeals filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the validity of the local government elections conducted in Rivers State in 2024.
The APC contends that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) did not adhere to the necessary legal procedures for conducting the elections. In a related matter, a Federal High Court in Abuja had previously issued an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to RSIEC for the local government elections. The court also barred the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Security Services from participating in or providing security for any local government election in Rivers State.
However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned this decision, ruling that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to issue such orders. Dissatisfied with this outcome, the APC has appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking to reinstate the Federal High Court’s judgment.
The Supreme Court’s forthcoming hearing is expected to address these critical legal questions concerning the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State.
