By Mark Lenu
A suit brought by the Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration (FREECON) which aims to nullify the August 30, 2025 local government election in Rivers State has been adjourned till November 14 for adoption of final addresses.
FREECON had in Suit No.: FHC/PH/CS/153/2025 dragged the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [1st defendant), the Attorney General of the Federation (2nd defendant), the then Rivers State Sole Administrator (3rd defendant), the then Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (4th defendant) and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (5th defendant) before a federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The Peoples Democratic Party later joined its elf in the suit through an application for a joinder which was granted by the court, thereby making the PDP one of the defendants in the suit. It was gathered that the suit was adjourned for adoption of final addresses because counsel to the PDP pleaded for more time to enable them come prepared.
Through its reliefs, FREECON is praying the court for the following:
”(a) A DECLARATION that, by the combine reading and construction of sections 197 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 1st Defendant cannot under any circumstance, guise create, invent the 3rd Defendant or any other authority to oust, divest, transfer, transmit the powers of the Governor in the appointment of the chairmanship/membership of the 5th Defendant and or empower the 3rd Defendant to perform the powers vested on the Governor as duly guaranteed, qualified therein
”(b) A DECLARATION that, by the combine EFFECT of section 197 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the 3rd defendant (An authority not recognized by the constitution in appointing electoral officials) has no statutory responsibility to therewith by way of appointing the 4th Defendant and her members to the 5th Defendant to organize, undertake or conduct election across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State through the 5th Defendant.
”(c) An Order of this Honourable Court, nullifying, setting aside, voiding the 3rd Defendant action in appointing the 4th Defendant and his members to the 5th defendant as the appointment thereto is unlawful, illegal, inconsistent therewith and constitute gross violation of section 198 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
Similarly, two sister suits instituted by FREECON were both adjourned till November 14 respectively. One of the suits which is seeking to have the court declare that the president has no power to suspend an elected state governor had been adjourned for judgment, while the other suit which is seeking to fault the National Assembly’s ratification of Rivers budget under the then sole administrator was adjourned for adoption of final addresses because counsel to the federal legislature pleaded before the court to enable them come prepared.
