The political landscape of Rivers State in 2024 was marred by a deep-seated crisis that culminated in a series of legal battles reaching the Supreme Court. The crux of the conflict revolved around the local government elections and the legitimacy of the state House of Assembly, sparking a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and factions loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike and former Minister Rotimi Amaechi. The Supreme Court, recognizing the gravity and interconnectedness of the issues, scheduled a comprehensive hearing for February 10, 2025, to address seven separate cases stemming from this political turmoil. Two of these cases directly challenged the validity of the local government elections, while the remaining five delved into the broader political crisis engulfing the state.
The seeds of discord were sown in October 2023 when a faction aligned with Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. This move triggered a swift and decisive response from the Governor, who sealed off the Assembly complex. The ensuing political maneuvering saw lawmakers declaring their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move promptly dismissed by Fubara, who subsequently recognized a smaller, three-member Assembly. This act ignited a legal firestorm, with the legitimacy of the three-member assembly and its actions, including the passage of the 2024 budget and the screening of commissioner nominees, becoming the subject of intense litigation in various courts, from the Rivers State High Court to the Federal High Court and ultimately, the Court of Appeal. To streamline the legal process, the Supreme Court consolidated four appeals relating to the Assembly’s legitimacy, paving the way for a unified hearing and judgment.
The local government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024, by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), further exacerbated the political tensions. The APC, contesting the arrangements made by RSIEC and alleging violations of bills passed by the larger, disputed House of Assembly, launched legal action. This internal division within the APC saw the Wike faction boycotting the elections, while the Amaechi faction participated. Adding to the complexity, the PDP, largely aligned with Wike, also abstained from the electoral process. Governor Fubara, however, remained resolute in his commitment to holding the elections, with many of his supporters defecting to the Action People’s Party (APP) to contest the polls.
The legal challenges to the local government elections took a significant turn when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to RSIEC. The injunction also barred the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Security Services from providing security for the elections. This decision stemmed from Justice Lifu’s conclusion that RSIEC had not adhered to the necessary legal prerequisites for conducting such elections. However, this victory for the APC was short-lived, as the Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s ruling, asserting a lack of jurisdiction.
With the legal obstacles cleared, the local government elections proceeded, resulting in a landslide victory for the APP, which secured 22 out of the 23 chairmanship seats. Undeterred by this setback, the APC lodged two separate appeals with the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision and reinstate the original Federal High Court judgment. Represented by senior legal counsel, the APC argued their case before a five-member panel of Justices, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
The Supreme Court, recognizing the need for a thorough and decisive resolution, scheduled a hearing for February 10, 2025, directing all parties to submit their legal arguments in advance. In a move aimed at simplifying the legal proceedings, the Court also consolidated four appeals related to the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This consolidation, granted at the request of the appellant’s counsel, underscored the Court’s commitment to efficiently addressing the complex web of legal issues arising from the Rivers State political crisis. The withdrawal of a cross-appeal by the Rivers State House of Assembly further streamlined the legal landscape, allowing the Supreme Court to focus on the core issues at stake. The February 10 hearing date loomed large, promising a crucial juncture in the ongoing political and legal saga unfolding in Rivers State.
