On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State’s capital, invalidated the local government elections held in July 2024, which had resulted in the appointment of chairmen and councillors across the state’s 13 local government areas.
Justice H.I.O. Oshomah, who presided over the case, ruled that the July 2024 elections for chairmanship and councilorship positions failed to comply with the stipulations outlined in the Electoral Act of 2022.
Consequently, the court annulled both the electoral process and its outcomes, directing the Ebonyi State Independent National Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) and the state government-named as the second and third respondents-to refrain from conducting any further local government elections unless they strictly adhere to the constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act.
The judgment largely favored the claims brought forward by the plaintiffs, Hamilton Ogbodo and Chief Mudi Erhenede, with the court issuing consequential orders related to the case.
Hamilton Ogbodo, representing the first plaintiff, Samuel Udeogu, praised the court’s decision, emphasizing its significance.
“Effectively, the local government elections conducted in Ebonyi State in July 2024 have been nullified by this Federal High Court ruling,” Ogbodo explained.
“Should the second and third respondents wish to act within the law, they must restore the situation to its state before the elections and comply fully with the court’s directive. We are currently awaiting their response, bearing in mind that the window for appealing this judgment is still open. Once that period lapses, we will determine our next steps.”
“We anticipate full compliance with the court’s order. The local government chairmen have been removed by this ruling. The court has upheld the law precisely as it is written, leaving no room for ambiguity,” Ogbodo concluded.
