In a move reminiscent of Justice Lambo Akanbi’s ignominious sack of local governments in Rivers State, the Supreme Court sacked the third tier of government including local government chairmen and ward councillors in Rivers State.

The apex court said its decision to ground government at the grassroots in the State was because the Saturday, October 5 2024 local government elections in Rivers State is invalid for not complying with the Electoral Act.

Delivering judgment in suit number: SC/CV/1176/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and nine others; Justice Jamilu Tukur declared that the election invalid for grossly violating the Electoral Act.

Justice Tukur declared the action of the RSIEC null and void for lack of substantial compliance to the Electoral Act and guidelines as the electoral body continued voter registration even after announcing an election date.

The court held that processes leading to the conduct of a local government election were abridged in clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act.

Recall that the local government elections held against all the efforts by opponents of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara to stop it.

These include the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the Voters Register to RSIEC, the Nigeria Police Force refusing to provide security for the elections, the attempted burglary of RSIEC’s strong room by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, amongst others.

With today’s judgment, all products of the October 5 2024 election stand to lose their offices, leaving Governor Fubara with the option of either running the local government councils with sole administrators or heads of local government administration (HLGAs).