The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has refused an attempt to stop the upcoming local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025.
Justice Stephen Jumbo, delivering his ruling on Thursday, struck out a motion filed by Port Harcourt lawyer Williams Abayomi-Stanley, who had sought an interim order to restrain the exercise.
The judge held that the application lacked merit, insisting that the elections must proceed as planned.
However, Justice Jumbo granted a separate motion for substituted service, allowing the claimant to serve court papers on President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) through alternative means.
The substantive suit has been adjourned to September 10, 2025, for hearing.
Outside the courtroom, counsel to the claimant, Godsent Elewa, explained that the case was not about halting democracy but about clarifying constitutional questions.
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He said his client, a constitutional lawyer from Emuoha LGA, approached the court to determine whether the President has the legal authority to appoint the RSIEC Chairman and its members.
“My client’s main concern is the interpretation of specific provisions of the RSIEC Law of 2018 and sections of the Nigerian Constitution,” Elewa told reporters. “Although the court dismissed our request to stop the elections, it did grant one of our motions, which we are satisfied with. We’ll return on September 10 to argue the substantive matter.”
Elewa further explained that his team had filed two ex parte motions: one seeking to stop the August 30 polls—which was dismissed—and another requesting substituted service on the President and Attorney General, which the court approved.
Meanwhile, preparations for the elections continue, with RSIEC reaffirming its commitment to conduct the polls as scheduled.