Court Orders Rivers LG Chairmen to Justify Elections

The Rivers State High Court has issued an order for three local government chairmen, including Gift Worlu of Obio Akpor, to appear and justify the legitimacy of their elections. Justice Stephen Jumbo directed the chairmen, along with their vice chairmen and councillors, to show cause why their elections should not be nullified.

This order follows a suit filed by stakeholders of the Rivers State People Democratic Party (PDP), which has been adjourned to March 17, 2026, for further hearing. The claimants, represented by lawyer Glori Chizim Chinda, argue that the elections held on August 30, 2025, were invalid due to a lack of proper authorization from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

They seek a declaration that the PDP's ward and local government congresses held on July 27 and August 10, 2024, were null and void, asserting that Aaron Chukwuemeka, the state faction chairman, lacked the legal capacity to conduct primaries or submit a candidacy list.