The Federal Government of Nigeria, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been sued before the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja over the recent state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of its democratically elected government.
The lawsuit, filed on March 20, 2025 (Case No. ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25), seeks to overturn the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the dissolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The plaintiffs, Harry Ibiso and 11 others, alongside the Eastern Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council, argue that Tinubu’s actions violate fundamental human rights and undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The applicants are requesting the ECOWAS Court to:
Declare Tinubu’s actions illegal and reinstate the suspended officials.
Nullify all directives issued by Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, appointed on March 18, 2025.
NAIJABLOGDAILY.COM
Uphold the constitutional limits of presidential powers, affirming that an elected president cannot unilaterally remove a sitting governor.
In their legal arguments, filed under ECOWAS Court Protocol Articles III, IV, and II, the plaintiffs insist that the state of emergency should not serve as a pretext for dismantling democratic governance.
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Despite opposition backlash, the National Assembly approved the emergency rule on March 20, 2025. Meanwhile, the newly appointed sole administrator, Ibas, has assumed office, further escalating tensions in Rivers State politics.
The ECOWAS Court is yet to schedule a hearing on the matter.
Stay tuned to Naija Blog Daily for updates on this high-stakes political battle.
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