The spokesman of the opposition lawmakers coalition in the National Assembly, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has praised the judgement of the Federal High Court, Rivers State Judicial Division, which declared that this Saturday’s local government election in the state should be held as scheduled.
He described Justice I.P.C. Igwe’s judgment was a victory for democracy and the Rivers people and a defeat for the pro-Wike lawmakers who were obtaining court injunctions to frustrate the process.
Addressing journalists in his office in Abuja on Monday, the member representing Ideato North/South federal constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives called on leaders of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to wake up and restore the party.
The court’s ruling followed Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024 ’ Between Action Peoples Party (APP), being the Claimant and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Rivers State Government and Rivers State Governor as Defendants.
The court interline ordered that the 2nd and 3rd Defendants are bound to make adequate provisions for election to the Local Government Councils of Rivers State and ensure that democratically elected Local Government Councils conduct their affairs.
It ordered; “That an order of mandatory injunction be and is at this moment further issued directing or commanding the 1st Defendant to utilise the National Register of Voters for the 2023 General Election compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under Section 9 (1)(a), (4) to (6) of the Electoral Act, 2022 to conduct Election into the twenty-three Local Government Councils of Rivers State.
“The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Nigeria Army and all other Security Agencies and Paramilitary Organisations are now ordered to provide adequate security and ensure maintenance of peace, law and order during and after the Election.”
Ugochinyere states, “This court judgement has saved democracy in Rivers State and the nation as a whole.”
