The Federal Government has assembled a formidable legal team, including former Attorney General of the Federation Chief Akin Olujinmi and 11 other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), to defend President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This move comes in response to a lawsuit filed by 11 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the constitutionality of the emergency proclamation.
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six months. He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of the state. The National Assembly ratified this proclamation through a voice vote.
The PDP governors contend that the President lacks the constitutional authority to suspend elected officials and replace them with unelected appointees under a state of emergency. They also argue that the National Assembly’s approval via a voice vote does not meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority in each chamber.
In response, the Federal Government has filed a preliminary objection, asserting that the Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction over the matter and that the plaintiffs have no legal standing. The government maintains that the emergency declaration was necessary due to a severe political crisis in Rivers State, which had paralyzed governance and threatened national stability.
The Supreme Court is expected to announce a date for the hearing of this high-profile constitutional case.