The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed, has fixed Friday, August 29, 2025, to deliver its ruling on the legality of the local government council elections scheduled for the following day, August 30.
The case was brought before the court by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is challenging the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), the Rivers State Sole Administrator, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and another party.
ADC argues that the RSIEC Chairman and members, recently appointed by the Sole Administrator, were illegally constituted and therefore lack the authority to reset the election timetable or conduct the polls. The party also contends that the timeframe provided for the elections is too short to ensure meaningful participation by political parties.
During proceedings, the court heard arguments on jurisdiction, an interlocutory injunction seeking to halt the elections, and a motion for joinder filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Counsel to the PDP, former Rivers State Attorney General Zacchaeus Adango, argued that the PDP should be joined in the suit. ADC’s counsel, A. O. Imiete, opposed the motion, but Justice Mohammed ruled in favour of the PDP, saying its inclusion was necessary for fair hearing.
The judge adjourned the matter to August 29, 2025, and directed all parties to exchange their legal processes within 48 hours.
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