The Special Court of Appeal Panel overseeing political disputes in Rivers State has reserved its judgment on two key appeals challenging rulings made by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Onyekachi Otisi, who leads the three-member panel, announced that the court would deliver its decision after considering the final submissions from the parties involved.
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One of the appeals concerns the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its refusal to provide the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the purpose of conducting local government elections.
Justice Lifu had previously issued an order restraining INEC, although the elections have already taken place.
The second appeal revolves around the Rivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where Justice Lifu had ruled to prevent the party’s national leadership from dissolving newly elected executives in the state.
This dispute stems from factional divisions between supporters of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and the PDP’s national leadership.
Further complicating the case, two senior lawyers have appeared separately for the PDP in a related appeal aimed at removing 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike. J.Y. Musa is representing the Umar Damagum-led faction, while B.F. Folurunsho claims to have been authorized by the PDP’s National Legal Adviser.
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Legal experts have noted that the judgment will address key issues surrounding the autonomy of party leadership and electoral bodies.
The panel’s ruling, once issued, will carry significant political and legal consequences for Rivers State.
