Rivers Emergency Suit: PDP Governors Yet to Serve FG — AGF
Ibas Defends Appointment of LGA Administrators
Women Protest, Demand Reinstatement of Fubara
NBA Moves Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu in Protest
The ongoing legal battle between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and President Bola Tinubu over the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminilayi Fubara and the declaration of a state of emergency in the state appears to have hit a roadblock. Sources within the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) revealed that the summons in the suit filed by 11 PDP governors has not been served to the Federal Government or the AGF’s office, which has hindered any official response to the matter.
The PDP governors, led by the Attorneys-General of states like Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa, have approached the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional validity of President Tinubu’s actions in Rivers. The suit, marked SC/CV/329/2025, calls into question whether the President has the authority to suspend a democratically elected governor and replace them with an unelected nominee under the guise of a state of emergency.
One senior official at the AGF’s office expressed frustration over the delay, noting, “We have seen media reports about the suit, but as of now, the official summons have not been delivered to us. Once they are received, we will respond appropriately as required by law.”
The suit seeks to determine whether President Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara and the subsequent emergency rule violates the Constitution, particularly regarding the rights of states and their autonomy. Specifically, the governors want the Supreme Court to clarify whether the President can legally suspend the offices of a state governor and deputy governor, impose a Sole Administrator, and dissolve the state’s House of Assembly. The plaintiffs argue that such actions are inconsistent with the principles of constitutional federalism and represent an unlawful overreach by the central government.
In a related development, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (rtd), appointed as Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has attempted to justify his decision to appoint administrators to the state’s 23 local government areas (LGAs). Ibas, who assumed office following Fubara’s suspension, explained that his visits to several local councils revealed a lack of effective governance at the grassroots level, prompting him to select administrators who could help fulfill his mandate.
Ibas insisted that his appointments were made to bring order and ensure that basic governance functions such as sanitation, healthcare, education, and youth engagement are effectively managed. However, this move has been met with significant resistance, with many locals viewing it as an undemocratic action that undermines the state’s constitutional integrity.
While the Governor’s office is suspended, the state has been rocked by protests. Hundreds of women in Port Harcourt, the state capital, marched in opposition to the emergency rule, demanding the reinstatement of Fubara. They expressed concern that the President’s intervention in the state’s affairs is an affront to democratic principles, echoing sentiments held by many who feel that the democratic process has been undermined.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken a bold stand against the President’s actions, moving its upcoming conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu in protest of the imposition of emergency rule. The NBA’s decision underscores the growing discontent within the legal community over what is perceived as a violation of the rule of law and constitutional rights.
In his address to the newly appointed LGA administrators, Ibas urged them to prioritize transparency, accountability, and service to the people. He emphasized the importance of community-focused governance, particularly in areas like environmental management, primary healthcare, and education. However, many critics question the legitimacy of these appointments, arguing that the emergency rule and the appointment of non-elected officials undermine the democratic processes in the state.
The legal challenge by the PDP governors, coupled with the mounting public protests, reflects the deepening divide in Rivers State over the legitimacy of the federal government’s intervention. As the suit progresses, the nation waits to see how the Supreme Court will interpret the constitutional balance between federal and state powers, and whether it will uphold the democratic rights of Rivers State citizens.
With the legal and political storm intensifying, the future of Rivers State’s governance remains uncertain. The question remains: will the federal government respect the constitutional autonomy of the state, or will the crisis in Rivers be used as a precedent for further erosion of state sovereignty in Nigeria?
Reference
Rivers Emergency Suit: PDP Governors Yet to Serve FG — AGF