The Supreme Court has declared the Rivers State Local Government elections held on October 5, 2024, invalid.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court ruled that the conduct of the local government polls in the state was null and void.

The apex court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had overturned the trial court’s ruling on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction. The Supreme Court therefore restored the decision of the Federal High Court.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier restrained the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission from proceeding with the local government elections, citing the need for an updated voter register before the polls could be conducted.

The trial court further ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to release the updated voter register to the Rivers Electoral Commission to facilitate the election.

As a result, the court barred the police, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies from providing security for voters during the election.