Court of Appeal clears INEC to release voters register, validating Rivers State’s October 5 elections
Abuja – The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a ruling that had prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the local government elections held on October 5.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, criticized the earlier judgment by the Federal High Court. The lower court had prohibited security agencies from offering support during the elections, a decision the Appeal Court found to be erroneous.
Court of Appeal Says Federal High Court lacked the Jurisdiction to Interfere in Rivers LG Elections
The panel ruled that the Federal High Court did not have the jurisdiction to entertain a case concerning Rivers State’s local government elections.
Justice Otisi emphasized that Section 28 of the Electoral Act pertains only to federal elections, including governorship and area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, and does not apply to elections at the state or local government levels.
Also Read: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Alleged Terrorism Links in South-eastern Nigeria
The case stemmed from a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which led to the original decision by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu had barred the election, citing RSIEC’s failure to meet legal requirements, including the 90-day notice before scheduling the election.
Additionally, he ruled that the update and revision of the voters register had not been completed in time, and thus, the election could not proceed.
As a result, the lower court ordered INEC to withhold the certified voters register from RSIEC until all legal conditions were met.
This new ruling by the Appeal Court clears the way for the use of the voters register and possible affirmation of legitimacy of the October 5 elections.
