Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly ordered the secret dissolution of the Special Court of Appeal in the FCT that gave a favourable ruling on the Rivers State Local Government elections.
The panel was “quietly disbanded” after it upheld the Rivers State local government elections conducted by the administration of the State governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The move, reportedly carried out discreetly, stems from Wike’s ongoing political feud with Fubara.
The dissolved panel, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, had ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to bar the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission from accessing the voter register for local elections.
It clarified that the Electoral Act does not govern state-conducted local government elections.
Wike allegedly influenced judicial changes, including replacing panel members, to challenge rulings that favored Fubara, such as one allowing Rivers State to receive its monthly federal allocations.
Also, controversy surrounds Wike’s involvement, as critics cite potential conflicts of interest, including his wife’s senior judicial position in Abuja.
The political and legal battle highlights tensions between Wike and Fubara and broader disputes over governance and resource control in Rivers State.
