Rivers court dismisses APC faction’s case against RSIEC over LG poll candidates
Story: written by Zara November 6,2025
A High Court in Port Harcourt has thrown out a lawsuit filed by Fubara Dagogo and eight others from the Emeka Beke faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The applicants had sued RSIEC over the commission’s refusal to accept the list of candidates submitted by the Beke-led camp for the August 30, 2025 local government elections. They were also asking the court to remove those currently serving in council offices, who emerged from the Tony Okocha faction of the party.
Delivering judgement on Wednesday, Justice Stephen Jumbo ruled that the matter was filed outside the legally allowed time. The court held that under Regulation 10, Section 2 of the Emergency Powers Conduct Regulations, such pre-election matters must be brought within seven days and concluded within fourteen days.
Since the case was statute-barred, Justice Jumbo stated that the court had no jurisdiction to hear it. He therefore dismissed the suit.
Though no fines were imposed, each party was ordered to handle its own legal costs.
Lawyers representing RSIEC, who are from the State Ministry of Justice, declined comment after the ruling.
However, counsel to the plaintiffs, James Allen-Umeni, told reporters that they would obtain the judgment and evaluate their next steps.
“In his view, he has delivered a considered ruling,” he said. “As law-abiding citizens, we respect the decision of the court. If we are dissatisfied, we will follow the proper legal channels to seek further redress. We will consult with our clients and decide on the next line of action.”
