Lawmaker Applauds Court Decision on Rivers Local Government Elections

The spokesperson for the opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly, Mr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has commended the Federal High Court, Rivers State Judicial Division, for upholding the scheduled Rivers State Local Government elections on October 5th, 2024.

 

During a media briefing in Abuja, Mr. Ugochinyere praised the court’s ruling, calling it a victory for democracy.

 

He expressed satisfaction with the judgment, which effectively nullified attempts to halt the elections, specifically pointing to the efforts of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who had sought to prevent the polls.

 

“This ruling has safeguarded democracy not only in Rivers State but across the nation,” Ugochinyere said.

 

“The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, has been embarrassed by this judgment. We commend the judiciary for upholding the rule of law and ensuring the elections will proceed as planned. Electoral laws are straightforward, and no court order should disrupt elections,” he stated.

 

The lawmaker highlighted the importance of the decision, delivered by Justice I.P.C. Igwe, in ensuring that Rivers State’s local government elections will be conducted as scheduled.

 

He criticized pro-Wike lawmakers in the state for attempting to secure court injunctions to disrupt the election process, while other political figures had already begun campaigning.

 

Ugochinyere urged leaders of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to take action in reviving and strengthening the party.

 

In the case brought by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, the Rivers State Government, and the Governor of Rivers State, Justice Igwe ruled that the defendants are obligated to ensure that the upcoming local government elections are held as scheduled.

 

The court emphasized the constitutional requirement for democratically elected local government councils to manage local affairs.

 

Justice Igwe’s judgment was based on Section 7(1) of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 5(A) of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 2 of 2018.

 

The court ruled that the state government must make provisions for the election, ensuring the process is in line with the July 11, 2024, Supreme Court judgment, which mandated that elections be conducted in states without democratically elected councils within three months.

 

The court also ordered security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the Nigerian Army, to ensure adequate security during and after the elections.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim