The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has reaffirmed that there are no court rulings or judgments preventing the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
This clarification came from the RSIEC Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), during a training session for senior trainers of the commission’s staff in Port Harcourt. His statement was made in response to claims that the elections are under legal dispute.
The confusion was sparked after Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, expressed doubts about the elections during a press conference.
Okocha, representing a faction of the APC, claimed that ongoing legal matters surrounding the elections made it impossible for them to proceed as planned.
However, Justice Enebeli dismissed these concerns, making it clear that there are no legal obstacles delaying the election.
“There is no court judgment restraining us from conducting the elections,” Enebeli declared, further citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandates the conduct of democratically elected local government councils across all states.
He explained, “On July 11 this year, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the highest court in the land, delivered a clear and comprehensive judgment that local government elections should be democratically conducted in all states yet to do so. The consequences for failing to adhere are obvious. Therefore, both the people of Rivers and the Federal Government are eagerly anticipating this election.”
Enebeli added that the elections would be held in full compliance with the Rivers State Electoral Commission Law, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission is required to provide the voters’ register to RSIEC as per legal provisions.
“Section 60, subsection 2 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Law of 2018 provides that no court proceedings shall restrain the conduct of primaries or elections. INEC is obliged to register voters for RSIEC elections,” he explained.
The RSIEC Chairman confirmed that 18 out of the 19 registered political parties in Rivers State will participate in the upcoming polls, with over 300 candidates competing for various positions in local government councils.
In conclusion, Justice Enebeli reiterated that the elections would go ahead as planned, with full compliance with both the state’s electoral laws and the Supreme Court ruling. “By the grace of God, October 5, 2024, remains sacrosanct,” he said, confidently stating that there would be no delays.
