The Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration (FREECON), a civil society body, has approached the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt seeking to stop the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State.
Recall that the state electoral body set 30 August as the date for the local government election following the postponement of the initial date, 9 August.
On 18 March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Udo and Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) lawmakers.
Since then, the state affairs have been under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The suit lists President Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), and its chairman as defendants.
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In its application, FREECON prayed the court to grant an interim order barring RSIEC from going ahead with preparations for the election, including the release of materials or public announcements, until the substantive matter is resolved.
Counsel to the organisation, Lezina Amegua, submitted that the case was significant in determining whether the President has constitutional authority to assume gubernatorial functions by appointing the leadership of RSIEC, as provided under Sections 197 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution.
However, defence lawyer, Olumide Oluji, SAN, argued that not all the defendants had been properly served with court processes and sought more time to enable them respond.
Presiding Judge, Justice Turaki Mohammed, directed that the documents be duly served on the lawyers representing the defendants and adjourned the matter to 3 September for further hearing.
