**Rivers Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Legitimacy of August 30 LG Election**
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit challenging the legality of the August 30, 2025, local government elections in the state.
The case, filed by Port Harcourt-based lawyer Williams Abayomi, questioned the legitimacy of the appointment of Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), who nominated the chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) that conducted the election. The suit named President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Rivers State Administrator, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and RSIEC as defendants.
Delivering judgment, Justice Stephen Jumbo struck out the case on two key grounds: lack of *locus standi* and lack of jurisdiction. He ruled that the claimant failed to show any personal harm or interest affected by the election, stating that the interests being pursued belonged to the state governor, not the claimant himself.
On jurisdiction, the judge held that the Rivers State High Court had no authority to hear the matter, referencing Section 1(1) of the Emergency Powers Act of 1961, which grants exclusive jurisdiction over such issues to the Supreme Court. Justice Jumbo further affirmed that the August 30 election was valid, having been conducted by RSIEC in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Reacting to the ruling, claimant’s counsel, Godsent Elewa, said there were clear grounds for appeal, arguing that the court’s comments on the validity of the election were incidental and went beyond the core issues of the suit.
In contrast, counsel to the PDP, Monday Otokwala, hailed the verdict as sound and consistent with established legal principles.
