The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing its voter register to the Rivers State Government’s electoral body for the state’s upcoming local government area (LGA) elections.
The court made the order based on an ex-parte application by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party, in an originating summons, sought a declaration that INEC is bound to manage the updating and revising of the register in such a manner as to ensure that the process stops not later than 90 days before the council poll.
The order broadly challenges the legitimacy of the local elections being planned by the Rivers State Government led by a Peoples Democratic (PDP) governor.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has already scheduled 15 October for the local government elections.
In his ruling, Judge Peter Lifu, also barred the police and the State Security Service (SSS) from providing security for the state’s local government elections.
RSIEC, the state Attorney-General, the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service (SSS) are other defendants in the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024.
APC is praying the court to hold that INEC can only release the register to RSIEC “in strict conformity and compliance with the mandatory provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022”.
Premium Times reported to have seen a certified copy of the order
The order specifically restrained INEC from releasing to the RSIEC and the Rivers State Attorney-General a part or the whole of the national register of voters “for use by the 2nd and 3rd defendants (RSIEC and the Attorney-General”.
In addition, it restrained the 4th and 5th defendants (the police and the SSS) “from participating in or providing security protection” for the scheduled local government election.
The order, issued by the court at the instance of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adds to the lingering political crisis that has engulfed the South-south state since the coming on board of the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who belongs to the PDP.
