Court Throws Out Case Challenging Rivers LG Election
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit challenging the legality of the August 30, 2025 local government elections in the state.
The case, filed by Port Harcourt-based lawyer Williams Abayomi, questioned the validity of the appointment of Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), who nominated the chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) that conducted the election.
Those named as defendants in the suit included President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Rivers State Administrator, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and RSIEC.
Delivering judgment, Justice Stephen Jumbo struck out the case on two grounds—lack of locus standi and lack of jurisdiction. The court held that the claimant failed to demonstrate any personal injury or hardship arising from the election, noting that the interest he sought to protect belonged to the state governor and not himself. On jurisdiction, Justice Jumbo ruled that the Rivers State High Court lacked the authority to entertain the matter, citing Section 1(1) of the Emergency Powers Act of 1961, which confers such issues exclusively on the Supreme Court.
The judge further noted that the August 30 election was lawful and valid, having been conducted by RSIEC in line with constitutional provisions.
Speaking after the ruling, claimant’s counsel, Godsent Elewa, said there were grounds for an appeal. He argued that the judge’s remarks on the validity of the election were incidental and unrelated to the main subject of the case.
Counsel to the PDP, Monday Otokwala, welcomed the judgment, describing it as consistent with the law.
