Appeal Court Upholds Rivers Local Government Elections, Overturns High Court Ruling
The Court of Appeal has upheld the Rivers State Local Government elections, reversing the Federal High Court’s annulment and confirming the polls were conducted lawfully. Read the full details.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the validity of the recently conducted Rivers State Local Government elections under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
In its judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court overturned an earlier Federal High Court ruling that nullified the election results. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had declared the Action Peoples Party (APP) victorious in 22 of the 23 local government areas.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), dissatisfied with the process, had initially approached the Federal High Court, citing breaches of the Electoral Act. The High Court ruled in favor of the APC, annulling the election. However, the Appeal Court ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
The appellate court further clarified that the Electoral Act, which regulates national and state elections, does not apply to local government elections. This decision reaffirms the legitimacy of the local polls conducted in Rivers State.
What's Your Reaction?
