ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (FN) — A Federal High Court in Ebonyi State has nullified the July 2024 local government elections, effectively removing 13 council chairmen and 171 councilors from office.
The court ruled that the elections were unconstitutional, citing violations of the Electoral Act. It determined that the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) failed to conduct the polls in accordance with legal standards.
The July 2024 elections, in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured all chairmanship and councillorship positions, were declared invalid due to a lack of transparency and failure to meet constitutional requirements.
The judgment followed a legal challenge that alleged widespread irregularities and procedural breaches during the electoral process. The court upheld the challenge and concluded that the results could not be sustained under Nigerian law.
As part of the ruling, the court ordered the state electoral commission and government to organize fresh elections that comply fully with the Electoral Act. No specific timeline was provided for the new polls.
The decision has raised questions about the legitimacy of actions taken by the now-dismissed local officials during their time in office. Legal analysts suggest the ruling could set a precedent for similar challenges in other states.
The electoral commission has not yet issued a formal response, and the state government has remained silent on the matter. Internal consultations are reportedly ongoing to determine the next course of action.
The ruling is expected to have significant political implications in Ebonyi, where opposition parties have long criticized the conduct of local elections. The court’s decision may reshape the political landscape ahead of future contests.
The judgment also underscores growing scrutiny of local electoral bodies and their adherence to national electoral laws. Observers say it could prompt broader calls for reform in how local elections are administered across the country.
As the state awaits further directives, uncertainty looms over governance in the affected local councils and the timeline for restoring elected leadership through a fresh, credible electoral process.
