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The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has nullified the local government and councillorship elections conducted in July 2024, which produced the current council chairmen and councillors across the state.
Recall that, the Ebonyi State Independent National Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won all 13 chairmanship seats and all 171 ward councillorship positions in the local government elections held in July 2024 in Ebonyi State.
Justice Hillary Oshomah, who presided over the case, ruled that the elections failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, thereby rendering the entire exercise invalid.
In his judgement, Justice Oshomah declared the July 2024 local government and councillorship elections “null and void,” cancelling all outcomes and mandates arising from the poll.
The court stated that the process violated key constitutional requirements for free, fair, and credible elections.
EBSIEC and Government Restrained
The court also ordered the Ebonyi State Independent National Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) and the Ebonyi State Government—listed as the second and third respondents in the suit—not to conduct any future local government or councillorship elections unless they strictly adhere to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The judge emphasised that the sanctity of electoral laws must be upheld at all levels of governance to maintain public confidence in the democratic process.
Plaintiffs Applaud Ruling
The verdict followed a suit filed by the first plaintiff, Samuel Udeogu, represented by his counsel, Hamilton Ogbodo, and the second plaintiff, Mudi Erhenede.
The court granted most of the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, including a consequential order reinforcing the invalidation of the elections.
Speaking to journalists after the judgement, counsel to the first plaintiff, Hamilton Ogbodo, commended the court’s decision. He described it as “a victory for democracy and the rule of law,” noting that the ruling reaffirmed the judiciary’s role in protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
Call for Due Process in Future Elections
The judgement is expected to prompt the Ebonyi State Government and EBSIEC to review their electoral procedures.
Legal experts believe the ruling will serve as a precedent to ensure future local government elections in the state comply fully with the law.
