Ensuring a successful election be conducted, the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) speaker, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, has urged voters to participate massively during the election process.
Recall that October 5 has been set aside for the selection of qualified representatives at the Local Government (LG) level.
Yesterday, Hon. Oko-Jumbo obliged citizens during the plenary sitting at the Hallowed Chamber of the House of Assembly, Auditorium of the Administrative Block, Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.
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The RSHA ordered that the LG election date remain the same as it adheres to the rule of law and subsisting judgements that enabled the exercise.
Noting that it aligned within the mandate of the Executive Arm of Government, the state governor, and the constitution in the creation of a state with the aim to elect political leaders across the 23 LGA.
In obedience to the constitution, the speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, said, “Nigeria is guided by the 1999 Constitution, and as stipulated in Section 13, all government bodies, officials, and private individuals must adhere to and implement the prevailing principles enshrined therein.”
While making reference to the court order, he stated that: “On the 11th day of July, 2024, the Supreme Court in suit No. SC/CV/ 343/2024 delivered a landmark judgement affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils.”
“In that judgement, the apex court mandated that at all times, there must be a democratically elected local government council in place, mandating all 36 states to comply.”
According to the judgement on September 4, 2024, in Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024 by Justice I. P. C. Igwe, the RSHA speaker outlined the declarations and emphasised that the Supreme Court judgement directed the RSG and state governor to ensure and make adequate provisions for the conduction of the local government council election of Rivers State.
Also, directed that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in their possession should utilise the 2023 general election national registered voters data as compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Furthermore, ensures that the security operatives provide adequate security and ensure the maintenance of peace, law, and order during and after the elections on the 5th day of October, 2024.
“In view of the above and as upholders of the rule of law, the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly aligns itself in totality with the rule of law and judgement of both the apex court and the most recent order given by Justice I.P.C. Igwe of the High Court of Rivers State on the 4th day of September, 2024.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly further orders that the Rivers State Government and the Executive Governor must conduct elections into the local government councils on the 5th day of October 2024 in compliance with the rule of law and judgement of the courts.”
During the meeting, the house approved the 2025/2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Meanwhile, the MTEF-approved documents contain the Economic and Fiscal Updates (EFU), the Fiscal Strategic Paper (FSP), and the Budget Policy Statement of the Rivers State Government for the period of 2025-2027.
The RSHA members adopted the proposal, and the speaker asked the clerk to convey the resolution of the House to the state government, as October 9, 2025, has been set for the next sitting day.
 speaker, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, has urged voters){kind=link}