Five indigenes of Rivers State have filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to halt the proposed local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025, on the grounds that the state remains under a state of emergency.
The suit, filed on Monday and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1144/2025, lists President Bola Tinubu, Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.), the Rivers State Government and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as defendants.
The plaintiffs; Fredrick Ededeh, Benita Samuel, Jane Madubuike, Boma Aggo and Comfort Agbom argue that the prevailing security situation in the state renders it unsafe and unconstitutional to hold elections.
Represented by their counsel, Sunday Ezema, the group contends that the State of Emergency Proclamation issued by the President on March 18, 2025, remains in effect and has not been revoked, as the conditions cited in the declaration, including threats to public order, safety and governance, persist.
“The atmosphere in Rivers State is still hostile, and peace has not been restored,” their motion reads.
“Conducting elections under such conditions would endanger citizens and violate their democratic rights.”
They are asking the court to determine whether any local government election can legally be conducted while a state of emergency is still in force.
The plaintiffs seek the following reliefs:
- A declaration that conditions of insecurity that led to the state of emergency have not ceased;
- A declaration that the President’s failure to revoke or suspend the proclamation means the emergency is still valid;
- A declaration that the Rivers State Government, Ibas, and RSIEC lack the legal authority to conduct elections during this period;
- An order to halt any planned elections, particularly the one scheduled for August 30, 2025;
- And a nullification of any such election if conducted during the emergency period, labelling it as illegal, unconstitutional, and void.
The plaintiffs also reference the previous local government elections, which were nullified by a court under suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing procedural irregularities.
As at the time of this report, no date has been fixed for the hearing.
