Supreme Court Drops the Hammer: Rivers LG Election Annulled, Chaos Unfolds!
The Supreme Court has delivered a resounding judgment, nullifying the Rivers State local government election conducted on October 5, 2024 by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The court ruled that the election was a brazen violation of the Electoral Act, rendering the entire process illegal and void.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, who read the landmark judgment, emphasized that RSIEC flouted fundamental election protocols. Among its transgressions, the electoral body continued voter registration after the election date was announced, a move deemed highly irregular and unlawful. Furthermore, the timeline for the election process was illegally shortened, breaching Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
Supreme Court Tightens the Noose: Rivers State Faces Fund Freeze!
In a separate ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court delivered another bombshell: the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies are PROHIBITED from releasing funds to the Rivers State government until it complies with court orders. This move underscores the apex court’s zero-tolerance stance against disobedience to the rule of law.
Benue Crisis Deepens: NJC vs. Chief Judge Battle Rages On
Meanwhile, in another high-profile legal battle, the Supreme Court has dismissed a cross-appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. In a scathing one-hour, thirty-six-minute ruling, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye and his five-man panel unanimously dismissed Fubara’s appeal, ordering Amaewhule to resume sitting with other elected members IMMEDIATELY.
The court condemned Fubara’s attempts to govern through an illegitimate four-man House of Assembly, stressing that it denied twenty-eight constituencies their rightful representation. Even more damning, the court declared Fubara’s demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex an act of executive lawlessness, describing it as a dictatorial ploy to cripple legislative functions.
The Drama Continues: Political Wahala on Another Front!
And just when you thought the chaos was over, the political turbulence extends beyond Rivers! Social media is ablaze with reports that a prominent politician’s wife was spotted being affectionate with his other wife while they visited an institution in Lagos. Wahala no dey finish!
Moral Lesson:
When power is abused, the law will always strike back! No one is above the law, and executive impunity will always meet its reckoning.
