THE Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, has called for the upcoming Local Government Election, scheduled for Saturday, to be conducted in strict adherence to the rule of law and the judicial decisions that authorized the exercise.
During yesterday’s plenary session, Speaker Oko-Jumbo expressed the Assembly’s alignment with the stance of the Executive Arm and Governor Siminalayi Fubara in ensuring that the local government election results in the proper installation of duly elected political leaders at the local level.
The Assembly also approved the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Fubara.
Oko-Jumbo emphasized that Nigeria operates under the 1999 Constitution, and as stated in Section 13, all government bodies, officials, and private citizens must adhere to and uphold the principles enshrined within it.
Referring to a landmark Supreme Court judgment delivered on July 11, 2024, in suit No. SC/CV/343/2024, Oko-Jumbo noted the court’s affirmation of financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils.
The court mandated that every state must ensure the continuous presence of democratically elected local government councils.
He also cited a judgment by Justice I.P.C. Igwe on September 4, 2024, in suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024, which ordered:
1) The Rivers State Government and the Executive Governor, in line with Section 7:1 of the 1999 Constitution and the Supreme Court ruling of July 11, 2024, to make provisions for local government elections.
2) The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to use the national voter register from the 2023 general election as compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
3) Security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Army, to provide adequate security and maintain peace during and after the election on October 5, 2024.
Oko-Jumbo commended the Rivers State Government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and noted that all necessary preparations for the elections were underway.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s full support for the court rulings and ordered that the elections must be held as scheduled.
The Speaker urged all residents to come out on October 5, 2024, to exercise their civic responsibility and vote for the candidates of their choice.
Additionally, the House debated and approved the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework submitted by Governor Fubara.
The document, which includes economic growth forecasts, revenue, expenditure plans, and fiscal policy objectives, will guide the state’s budgetary decisions over the next three years. After thorough deliberation, the Assembly adopted the proposal and directed the Clerk to convey its resolution to the Governor before adjourning to October 9, 2024.
