A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by Port Harcourt-based lawyer Williams Abayomi Stanley, challenging the legality of the state’s recent local government election and the declaration of emergency rule.
Stanley had dragged President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), and its Chairman to court, questioning the constitutionality of Tinubu’s appointment of a Sole Administrator who later nominated the RSIEC leadership that conducted the August 30 council election.
Delivering judgement, Justice Stephen Jumbo held that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter, explaining that under the Constitution, only the Supreme Court has the exclusive authority to determine suits arising from a state of emergency.
The court further ruled that the claimant lacked locus standi (legal standing) to institute the action. Justice Jumbo noted that Stanley failed to establish any personal interest or civil rights violated by the defendants’ actions, stressing that the interest he sought to protect belonged to the Rivers State Governor, who alone had the authority to challenge such appointments.
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On the election itself, Justice Jumbo declared that the August 30 local government polls were valid and constitutional, having been conducted by RSIEC. The judge emphasised that neither the governor nor the sole administrator directly organised the exercise.
Although the court ruled in favour of the defendants on both locus standi and jurisdiction, no costs were awarded against the claimant.
PDP Welcomes Ruling, Claimant’s Counsel Hints at Appeal
Outside the courtroom, the claimant’s counsel, Godsent Elewa, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and hinted at a possible appeal.
“In as much as I respect the judge, there are aspects of the judgement I don’t agree with. The court resolved two issues today, locus standi and jurisdiction. My lord held that my client lacked the standing to challenge RSIEC appointments and that only the Supreme Court can handle matters under the Emergency Powers Act of 1961. We will study the ruling and decide on the next steps,” Elewa told journalists.
He added that the judge’s remarks on the validity of the elections were “mere comments” and not binding parts of the judgement.
Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday John Otokwala, who represented the fifth defendant, welcomed the decision, saying it “clearly reflects the law regarding the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State.”
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
