Appeal Court Upholds October 5 LG Election In Rivers

Appeal Court Upholds October 5 LG Election In Rivers

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, smiled longer on Thursday as the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the sanctity of the local government elections conducted in the state in October.

The Court held that the Federal High Court order barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing materials for the conduct of the election was given without jurisdiction.

According to the Superior Court, the Federal High Court in Abuja, which gave the earlier order, lacked jurisdiction over the subject matter to entertain the suit by the 1st respondent, APC.

The Court further clarified that the Electoral Act, which governs the conduct of national and state elections for Presidency, National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly positions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not cover the conduct of local government elections by the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), and therefore, can not be invoked in any state electoral process.

It, therefore, set aside the order of the Federal High Court.