The Rivers State Government has described the Abuja Appeal Court judgment, which nullifies the ruling of the Federal High Court on the Rivers State local government election, as a landmark judgment that would restore the people’s hopes at a time Nigerians are losing hopes in the judiciary.

The Appeal Court ruled that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which sought to challenge the election.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said the decision of the appellant court reaffirms the validity of the Rivers State local council election.

Johnson said: “It has been a happy mood in Rivers State. This confirms that Governor Siminalayi Fubara made the right decisions. This is just a pointer to more good news to come.

“There’s no cause for alarm on other matters in court, stating that the state government is on the side of law.”

Also, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government, Rivers State Chapter, Ezebunwo Ichemati, expressed delight over the judgment, saying it has forgiven the council chairmen from the legal battle, which was argued before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, as it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Ichemati, who is also the Mayor of Port Harcourt, affirmed that it was clear that the conduct of the Rivers State local council election was guided by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Law.

He said that RSIEC complied with all the laws and did not err in its duties.

He said: “The crux of the matter has always been that Justice Lifu lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate on that matter, as only the State High Court has the authority to preside over issues concerning the state electoral commission’s operations and decisions.

“The Tony Okocha-led APC, in their quest to halt the electoral process, approached the court under the guise of challenging the commission’s legitimacy in conducting the elections. Despite meeting all the necessary conditions to conduct the election, Justice Lifu went ahead to commit the legal rascality to deny Rivers people effective leadership at the grassroots to satisfy the APC’s waning popularity and fear of electoral defeat.”

“The truth is we cannot help but feel elated by the appellate court’s decision. It not only reaffirms our belief in the justice system, but also highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law.”