Seven states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have approached the Supreme Court to challenge what they termed as President Bola Tinubu’s unconstitutional actions in Rivers State.

Governors of the PDP states, through their respective Attorneys-General, urged the apex court to declare that based on the provisions of sections 1(2), 5(2), and 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, President Tinubu, “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 in the state of the federation by the president, including the states of the federation represented by the plaintiffs.”

They equally prayed the Supreme Court to declare that President Tinubu has no power to suspend a democratically elected House of Assembly of a state pursuant to Sections 192 (4) (6) and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

As well as to declare that the suspension of Governor Siminalaye Fubara, his deputy and members of the Rivers State Assembly was unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal and utterly in gross violation of provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The states behind the suit are; Bauchi; Adamawa; Bayelsa; Enugu; Osun; Plateau; and Zamfara.

Aside from President Tinubu, the National Assembly was also cited as a defendant in the matter.

It will be recalled that President Tinubu had on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State after he slammed governor Fubara with a six-month suspension.

Equally placed on suspension were the deputy governor, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, as well as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to pilot affairs of the state within the period, as a Sole Administrator.

The action of the president received legislative backing from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/rivers-why-tinubus-action-is-illegal-pdp-govs-tell-supreme-court/