Despite the lawsuit, RISIEC Chairman Dr. Adolphus Enebele confirmed that the commission had applied for and received the electoral register from INEC before the case was filed.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Justice I. P. C. Igwe of the Rivers State High Court has issued an interlocutory order mandating the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) to conduct the Local Government Council elections as scheduled on Saturday, October 5, 2024, or any other date deemed appropriate by the commission.
The court further directed the Rivers State Police Command and other security agencies to provide adequate security for the election.
This development follows a legal dispute initiated by the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by factional leader Tony Okocha, which challenged RISIEC’s readiness for the elections and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold electoral materials. The APC alleged that RISIEC had violated due electoral processes.
Despite the lawsuit, RISIEC Chairman Dr. Adolphus Enebele confirmed that the commission had applied for and received the electoral register from INEC before the case was filed.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its decision to boycott the elections, citing ongoing litigation and a lack of confidence in the process as their reasons for withdrawing.
The court order, seen in a document obtained by REPORT AFRIQUE on Sunday afternoon, underscores the judiciary’s position on ensuring the elections proceed with necessary security arrangements in place.
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