The supreme court has granted the application by Rivers state to be made defendants in the suit by President Muhammmadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation, ABUBAKAR MALAMI, seeking to void Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022.

A seven-member panel, led by Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed, granted the application, which was not opposed by the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi and lawyer to the National Assembly (earlier listed as the sole defendant), Kayode Ajulo.

Fagbemi had planned to oppose the application, but changed his mind on realizing it could delay the hearing of the substantive suit.

Lawyer to the new defendants, Emmanuel Ukala said his clients believed they needed to be made a party in the case because they would be affected by the outcome.

The Rivers AG and Speaker stated, in their supporting affidavit, that the suit relates to the issue of validity and constitutionality of the provisions of section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 enacted by the National Assembly of Nigeria and applicate throughout the federation of Nigeria including Rivers State.

The Court ordered parties to file and exchange all necessary processes on or before Wednesday next week and adjourned till Thursday for hearing.

Counsel to President Buhari, Lateef Fagbemi and Counsel to the National Assembly Kayode Ajulo addressed newsmen after the ruling.