The Supreme Court has declared the Rivers State Local Government elections held on October 5, 2024, invalid.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, a five-member panel led by Justice Jamilu Tukur nullified the election, setting aside the Court of Appeal’s verdict, which had dismissed the case on jurisdictional grounds.
The decision effectively reinstates the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had previously halted the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission from conducting the election, citing the necessity of an updated voter register before proceeding with the polls.
The court had also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide the revised voter register to the state electoral commission.
Furthermore, security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), were prohibited from offering security during the election.
More updates to follow…