A group of Rivers State indigenes has approached the Abuja Federal High Court to stop the local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025, citing the ongoing state of emergency as a barrier to free and fair polls.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/C’S/1144/2025, lists President Bola Tinubu, the Rivers State Government, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (Sole Administrator of Rivers State), and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as respondents.
The plaintiffs, Fredrick Ededeh, Benita Samuel, Jane Madubuike, Boma Aggo, and Comfort Agbom, through their lawyer, Sunday Ezema, argued that holding elections during a declared state of emergency is unlawful and unsafe.
In their originating summons filed on August 11, 2025, the plaintiffs pointed to President Tinubu’s State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025, which states there is a “clear and present danger or imminent breakdown of public order and public safety” as well as a “looming crisis” affecting governance, peace, security, and order in Rivers State.
The suit contends that since the emergency situation has neither abated nor been revoked, the environment remains unsuitable for conducting elections.
They further questioned how voters could participate in elections under such conditions of insecurity and governance breakdown.
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The plaintiffs are urging the court to either halt the August 30 elections or declare any election held during the emergency period invalid.
Among the specific reliefs sought, the plaintiffs request:
A declaration that the dangers cited in the emergency proclamation remain unresolved, justifying the continued state of emergency.
A declaration that the respondents cannot legally conduct local government elections while the state of emergency persists.
A declaration that any election held during the emergency period would be illegal, unconstitutional, and null.
This legal challenge raises fresh questions about the timing and legitimacy of the forthcoming local government elections in Rivers State amid ongoing political and security concerns.