Court nullifies Rivers State local council elections

A Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, has nullified the elections of the 22 local Government council chairmen and councilorsconducted on 23rd May 2015, in Rivers State.

The elections were held few days to the expiration of former Governor Rotimi Ameachi’s tenure as governor of the state.

In his ruling, Justice Lambo Akanbi, reprimanded Rotimi Amaechi administration for conducting the local council elections after he had ordered that all parties maintain status quo.

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He said, “The respondent (APC) was aware of the order that they should leave the rest. The respondent committed contempt of court for going ahead to hold the elections while the suit is pending.

“While a matter is in court nothing should be done to prejudice the matter.

“The parties cannot jump the gun to do anything in their own way. A party in a suit cannot resort to self-help. Whenever a ruling has not been given, parties are bound to maintain status quo.

“The attitude of the 2nd and 3rd respondents in this matter are Unacceptable, provocative, lawless and condemnable. We must learn to uphold the rule of law. It helps to strengthen our democracy.

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“I hereby set aside the Local government elections held on the 23rd of May, 2015″, Justice Akanbi ruled.

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