Rivers Indigenes Sue Tinubu, RSIEC Over August 30 LG Polls Amid State of Emergency

Five indigenes of Rivers State have approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the conduct of local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025.

The plaintiffs—Fredrick Ededeh, Benita Samuel, Jane Madubuike, Boma Aggo, and Comfort Agbom—argue that the elections are unlawful because Rivers State remains under a state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a proclamation they say has not been lifted.

They claim that holding elections during emergency rule undermines democratic principles, violates constitutional provisions, and disregards the mandatory 90-day notice for such polls. The suit also questions the legality of organising the elections under a sole administrator instead of a duly constituted electoral commission.

Their legal action mirrors earlier calls by stakeholders and civil society groups for the suspension of the elections until normal governance is restored in the state. The court is expected to announce a hearing date in the coming days.