The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers has welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgement nullifying the local government council elections held on Oct.

5 and ordering the re-presentation of the 2024 budget.In a ruling delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the Supreme Court declared the election invalid due to gross violations of the Electoral Act. In a separate judgement on Friday, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule as speaker.The apex court directed Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.It mandated Fubara to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill to the Amaewhule-led Assembly.Reacting to the rulings, APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers, Mr Chibike Ikenga, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday.According to Ikenga, the judgements represent a victory for the people and a step towards the entrenchment of democracy in the state.He urged Fubara to comply with the ruling without delay to restore peace and foster development in Rivers.“We call on all democrats and people of goodwill to prevail on Gov. Fubara to quickly retrace his steps and take the necessary actions for the progress of our dear state.“We commend the Supreme Court for its decision to bring an end to the political crises that has plagued the Executive and House of Assembly in the state,” Ikenga stated.He assured that as the main opposition party in Rivers, the APC would continue to serve as a watchdog, advocating for good governance and ensuring effective service delivery to the citizens. (NAN)

Two federal lawmakers, Sen Ireti Kingibe and Hon. Joshua Obika, have pledged to facilitate the creation of more polling units in the FCT area councils before the 2026 ward and area council elections.

This, they said, was to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.The lawmakers gave the pledge on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of a 20,000- litre capacity solar-powered borehole constructed by Kingibe at Maitama Angwan Sarki in Orozo area of the FCT. Report says that recently, a team of Ugandan parliamentarians had joined Kingibe, representing FCT in the senate, in inaugurating a similar 20,000-litre capacity solar-powered borehole in Gwarimpa area of Abuja. The senator was joined by Obika, representing Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency at the inauguration of the project on Friday.Kingibe, who sympathised with the residents, particularly women, over the inconvenience of non-availability of potable water in the area, noted that such an ugly situation was now over.The senator commended them for their patience, promising to include them in her numerous empowerment programmes coming up soon.Kingibe and Obika also jointly inauguted a WAEC-standard ICT laboratory at Government Secondary School, Orozo.The laboratory was donated by Ofon Essential Foundation, in collaboration with the Obika’s office and FCT Secondary Education Board.Obika said that the facility was expected to qualify the school for internal Computer Based Tests (examinations) and facilitate students’ preparations for the migration of WAEC/ NECO examinations to CBT.Principal of the school, Mrs Bariyat Haruna, thanked the lawmakers for the provision of the facility, promising to ensure its safety and proper utilisation.She, however, requested for relocation of the institution, saying that its population had out-grown the space and facilities available, thereby forcing her not to admit all the students seeking for admission in the school.In separate interview, the lawmakers underlined the importance of ICT and education, stressing that nothing could be achieved without education and ICT.Kingibe particularly described education as the key to development, and one of the cornerstones of her legislative agenda.She pledged to pay the school fees of 100 indigent students and build two more ICT laboratories in the area council.Kingibe also promised to provide a solar-powered generator for the school and continue to lobby for the needs of the schools, including ICT laboratories, across the nation’s capital. (NAN)

The Supreme Court on Friday, nullified the Local Government election in Rivers, which was conducted on Oct.

5, 2024.A five-member panel of the apex court unanimously held that the election was conducted in violation of relevant laws.Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) held the election. Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence that the voters’ registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law. (NAN)