Rivers LG Elections: Lawyer Sues Tinubu, Seeks Court to Void August 30 Polls
Story: written by Zara October 2,2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over the controversial Rivers State local government elections conducted on August 30, 2025.
In the suit filed on September 11, 2025 (No. FHC/PH/CS/173/2025), legal practitioner Clifford Nnanta Chuku is asking the court to nullify the elections and strike down the Emergency Powers Regulation introduced by President Tinubu to guide the process.
Chuku argued that the regulation, which suspended certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and Rivers State electoral laws, violated the Nigerian constitution and undermined democratic principles.
According to him, the President’s move to suspend parts of existing electoral laws amounted to an abuse of power and an unconstitutional overreach.
The suit lists as defendants President Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Key issues before the court include whether the regulation illegally restricted the democratic rights of Rivers people and whether RSIEC complied with the legal timelines required for conducting the elections.
Chuku is seeking a declaration voiding the August 30 polls, an order compelling RSIEC to conduct fresh elections in line with the Electoral Act, and a ruling striking down the controversial regulation.
The Federal High Court has fixed October 21, 2025, for hearing of the case.
Legal observers note that the outcome could set a precedent on the limits of presidential powers in matters relating to elections in Nigeria.
