PDP Governors Challenge President Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration in Rivers State
The Federal Government has officially received a suit filed by 11 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. The suit, which questions the legality of the state of emergency and the suspension of the state’s elected officials, was confirmed by a source at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja on Wednesday.
The 11 PDP governors, representing states including Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa, have approached the Supreme Court to challenge the President’s constitutional authority to suspend an elected state government structure.
The lawsuit, marked SC/CV/329/2025, seeks to determine whether President Tinubu, through his proclamation of March 18, can lawfully suspend the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly, replacing them with an unelected Sole Administrator during a state of emergency.
According to the lawsuit, the 11 governors are questioning the constitutionality of such actions, specifically whether the President has the power to interfere with the offices of state officials, including governors and deputies, and suspend state assemblies under the guise of a state of emergency.
The suit also raises concerns about the threat to Nigeria’s constitutional federalism, particularly the power of the President to suspend state officials in this manner.
The Federal Government has been given 14 days to file a response to the suit, and preparations are already underway for the legal battle at the Supreme Court.
Since the declaration of the state of emergency, which includes the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator for Rivers State, President Tinubu’s decision has garnered support from the National Assembly, though it continues to face significant opposition from the PDP governors.
