The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has nullified the 2024 local government elections and ordered all serving council chairmen and councillors in the state to vacate office with immediate effect.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa ruled that the election conducted by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) on July 20, 2024, violated key provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court held that the exercise failed to meet constitutional standards for a credible and inclusive election, particularly by excluding opposition political parties from effective participation.
Justice Nganjiwa declared that EBSIEC acted beyond its powers by conducting what he described as an “undemocratic and unlawful process,” noting that the poll lacked transparency and did not reflect the will of the electorate.
The suit was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside other opposition parties, who challenged the validity of the election on the grounds that it was fundamentally flawed, skewed in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and inconsistent with the Electoral Act.
In granting the reliefs sought, the court declared the election “invalid, null, and of no effect whatsoever,” and ordered the immediate dissolution of all 13 local government councils in the state.
Justice Nganjiwa further directed the Ebonyi State Government and EBSIEC to conduct fresh elections in accordance with the law, ensuring the full participation of all registered political parties.
With the judgment, all chairmen and councillors elected in the 2024 polls have been removed from office, creating a temporary leadership vacuum across the councils pending new elections.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Luke Nkwegu, described the verdict as “a landmark affirmation of constitutional order and the rule of law,” urging the state government to comply fully with the ruling and move swiftly to restore credible local governance.
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As of press time, neither the Ebonyi State Government nor EBSIEC had issued an official response.
However, sources within the state administration indicated that an appeal was being considered.
The 2024 council elections, in which APC candidates were declared winners across all 13 local government areas, had been widely criticised by opposition parties and election observers for alleged irregularities and lack of genuine competition.
Legal analysts say the ruling underscores the judiciary’s oversight role over state electoral commissions and could influence future interpretations of Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees democratically elected local councils.