A major legal confrontation is brewing at the Supreme Court, as eleven governors under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The governors are challenging several controversial decisions stemming from the emergency declaration—particularly the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state legislature. They are also opposing the installation of a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to manage the affairs of the state.
The case, identified as SC/CV/329/2025, centers on whether the President acted within constitutional limits by suspending elected state officials and appointing an unelected administrator to replace them.
The plaintiffs in the suit are the governors of Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa States. Through their legal representatives—Attorneys General of their respective states—the governors argue that Tinubu’s actions contravene the Nigerian Constitution, specifically citing Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188, and 305.
They contend that these actions not only undermine the democratic process but also violate the federal structure of Nigeria, which grants autonomy to state governments. The governors are urging the court to clarify whether the President has the legal authority to dismiss elected officials and impose an administrator, even under a state of emergency.
The suit also questions whether the suspension of the Rivers State House of Assembly was lawfully executed, and whether similar threats made against other state governments align with constitutional guidelines.
In addition, the governors claim that the President’s interference could set a dangerous precedent, eroding democratic norms and shifting excessive power to the federal government.
This legal challenge comes after weeks of speculation about how the PDP governors would respond to the political developments in Rivers. Although rumors had circulated about a potential court case, it was only confirmed recently by Festus Akande, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Supreme Court.
Prior to this confirmation, officials at the Supreme Court and the Federal Ministry of Justice had reported that they had not yet been served the court documents. A state counsel at the Ministry noted that Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had not received formal notice of the suit.
Now that the case has been officially filed, the respondents have 14 days from the date of service to enter an appearance in court.
