A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by Fubara Dagogo and eight other members of the Emeka Beke-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The plaintiffs had challenged the nomination of candidates for the August 30, 2025, local government elections in Rivers state. They sought to contest RSIEC’s refusal to recognize the list of candidates submitted by the Beke-led faction and aimed to replace council officials nominated by the Tony Okocha-led faction.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Stephen Jumbo dismissed the suit, ruling that it was statute-barred. He noted that the case was neither filed within seven days nor determined within fourteen days, as required under Regulation 10, Subsection 2 of the Emergency Powers Conduct Regulations.
Justice Jumbo further held that, being a pre-election matter already statute-barred, the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
No costs were awarded against either party, with the court directing each side to bear its own expenses.
Counsel to RSIEC, from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, declined to comment following the ruling, while the plaintiffs’ lawyer, James Allen-Umeni, addressed journalists about the decision.
He said, “For us, in his opinion, he has given a considered ruling. We would after now apply for a copy of the ruling and study it and think of the next line of action.
“As law abiding citizens, we are bound by the law and if we are not in terms with the judgement or not, we are bound to follow legal proceedings in seeking redress.
“So, we will talk with the claimants and know the next line of action.”
