A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has ruled that the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, August 30, 2025, will proceed as planned, despite legal challenges seeking to halt the exercise.
Justice Stephen Jumbo, in his ruling dismissed a motion to stop the polls, describing the application as lacking in merit.
The court, however, granted a motion for substituted service to the defendants and adjourned the substantive case to September 10, 2025.
The suit, filed by Port Harcourt-based lawyer Williams Abayomi-Stanley, is challenging the legality of President Bola Tinubu’s alleged role in appointing the chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The claimant is seeking judicial interpretation of relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the RSIEC Law.
Speaking after the sitting, counsel to the claimant, Godsent Elewa, expressed satisfaction that one of his motions was granted and pledged readiness to continue with the matter on the adjourned date.
Meanwhile, in a separate suit, a former APC House of Assembly candidate, Chima Nnokam, alongside four others, has asked the court to declare the August 30 elections unconstitutional. Their originating summons, filed against RSIEC, the Rivers State Attorney General, and two financial institutions, argues that the newly appointed RSIEC chairman and members were unlawfully installed and therefore lack the authority to conduct elections.
The claimants are also seeking an injunction restraining financial institutions from releasing funds to RSIEC, as well as a declaration setting aside all actions taken by the current chairman, Mr. Michael Odey, including the revised election timetable.
Additionally, they want the court to reinstate Justice Adolphus Enebeli and his team as the legitimate RSIEC leadership until their tenure expires. Their prayers include multiple declarations nullifying the current commission’s appointments and restraining the defendants from parading themselves as members of RSIEC.
