Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have finally filed a suit before the supreme court challenging the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state.
The suit marked SC/CV/329/2025 was initiated by PDP governors from Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa.
Although the suit is dated March 20, it was filed before the apex court on April 8.
The legal action follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state on March 18, citing the ongoing political crisis and the vandalisation of oil installations.
The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and all house of assembly members for six months.
Tinubu also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers.
The senate and the house of representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule.
The suit questions the legality of Tinubu’s actions, particularly whether the president can lawfully suspend or interfere with the offices of a governor and deputy governor, replacing them with a sole administrator.
The governors are also challenging the suspension of the Rivers state house of assembly and the constitutionality of the appointment of a sole administrator.
The plaintiffs argue that the actions taken by the president are in violation of several provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly regarding the powers and functions of state governors and assemblies.
The 11 state governors are praying the court to determine “whether upon a proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can lawfully suspend or in any manner whatsoever interfere with the offices of a governor and the deputy governor of any of the component 36 states of the federation of Nigeria and replace same with his own unelected nominee as a sole administrator, under the guise of, or pursuant to, a proclamation of a state of emergency in any of the state of the federation, particularly in any of the plaintiffs states?”
They are seeking a declaration from the supreme court that the suspension of Fubara, Odu, and the state assembly, as well as the appointment of Ibas, are “unconstitutional” and “unlawful”.
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