PDP Governors Challenge Rivers Emergency Rule at Supreme Court
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The emergency rule, declared on 18 March 2025, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months. Retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the sole administrator of the state.
The PDP governors, comprising leaders from Bauchi, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Plateau, and Zamfara states, argue that the president lacks the constitutional power to suspend a democratically elected governor and deputy governor. They also contend that the appointment of a sole administrator is unconstitutional.
According to the court documents, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the president’s actions violate sections 1(2), 5(2), and 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). They assert that the president has “no powers whatsoever or vires to suspend a democratically elected governor and deputy governor of a state in the federation of Nigeria under the guise of or pursuant to the proclamation of a state of emergency.”
The governors are also challenging the approval of the state of emergency by the National Assembly, arguing that the use of a voice vote is unconstitutional. They insist that the constitution mandates a two-thirds majority vote from all members of each legislative chamber.
In their submission to the court, the plaintiffs further argue that the emergency proclamation did not meet the constitutional requirements set by Section 305.
“The proclamation failed to meet the stipulated conditions and procedures for such a declaration and was made for reasons beyond those specified in the said constitutional provision,” the governors contend.
They are seeking an order to nullify the appointment of Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator, declaring it unlawful and in gross violation of the constitution. Additionally, they want the court to restrain the president from further attempts to suspend other governors or interfere with their constitutional duties.
The governors, though not directly affected by the emergency rule, said they are pursuing the case to set a legal precedent. “They are determined to test the law for the sake of posterity,” a source close to the PDP governors said.
Meanwhile, a group of Ijaw youth who were dissatisfied with the latest development in the State have asked the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court), in Abuja, to set aside and/or quash the suspension of elected officials and removal of democratic structures and institutions by the federal government.
