Supreme Court Nullifies Rivers Local Government Election

The Supreme Court on Friday delivered two of three judgements that favoured the loyalists of Nyesom Wike rebelling against the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state, while the top court neglected to immediately rule on the third matter that might give the governor an edge.

The apex court reserved a ruling on appeals that could give Mr Fubara political mileage in his state, leaving him politically vulnerable after two strings of losses to his adversaries.

The last judgement, which could have favoured Mr Fubara because of the affidavit and oath sworn to by the rebellious lawmakers announcing their defection from PDP to APC, was sidestepped for judgment at a later date.

The delay in judgment might have opened a loophole for the lawmakers to impeach Mr Fubara when they reconvene, following the court’s order reinstating Martin Amaewhule as the state assembly speaker.

Already, the governor only has four lawmakers on his side, while the remaining 28 have pledged fealty to his predecessor and archenemy, Mr Wike.

Mr Wike, the FCT Minister and a strong ally to President Bola Tinubu, was among the politicians who paved the way for the president’s 2023 election victory. The minister is the only opposition figure serving on the president’s cabinet.

If the Supreme Court continues to delay its ruling on Mr Fubara’s strongest appeal, he risks impeachment before securing a favourable verdict— thereby rendering any legal victory moot.

In the first ruling, the apex court barred the Central Bank and accountant-general of the federation from sending federal allocations to Rivers State until Mr Fubara obeys a previous order to re-present the state budget before all 32 elected lawmakers for approval as opposed to the four he had previously submitted the bill.

Five judges led by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye tossed out Mr Fubara’s argument that Martin Amaewhule was no longer the legitimate speaker due to his defection to APC, declaring it an aberration for the governor to have submitted the appropriation bill to only four lawmakers.

The court ordered Mr Amaewhule to resume his speakership duties at the state assembly immediately and asked Mr Fubara to re-submit the appropriations bill under the legally-backed constituted assembly.

In a second ruling delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the Supreme Court invalidated local government elections conducted in October 2024, citing non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.

The court said voter registrations were still ongoing after an election date had been announced, thereby violating the electoral law, particularly section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.

Consequently, the court cancelled the elections.