The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has commenced preparations of President Bola Tinubu’s legal response to a suit filed by eleven governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court.
The suit contests the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the state’s elected officials.
The PDP governors have assembled a formidable legal team, comprising seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and six other lawyers.
Among the SANs are Bolaji Ayorinde, Eyitayo Jegede, Kamaldeen Ajibade, J.A. Mumuni, Musibau Adetunbi, Samuel Atung, and Yunus Abdulsalam. Other lawyers involved include M.S. Atolagbe, Ezenwa Ibegbunam, Chiamaka Anagu, Olakunle Lawal, Abduljalil Musa, and H.A. Adeleke.
The governors are opposing the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.) as sole administrator of Rivers State, following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly.
President Tinubu made the proclamation on 18 March 2025, citing a political crisis, and secured support from both chambers of the National Assembly via voice vote.
In the suit marked SC/CV/329/2025, the governors of Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa are asking the Supreme Court to determine the constitutional validity of the President’s actions.
They argue that Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188, and 305 of the 1999 Constitution do not permit the President to suspend duly elected state officials or replace them with unelected appointees.
A source from the Attorney General’s office confirmed on Sunday that legal teams are actively working on a formal response.
“As we speak, my colleagues are in the office working on the processes,” the source disclosed.
Meanwhile, a related case filed at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt by former House of Representatives member, Farah Dagogo, is scheduled for substantive hearing on 12 May 2025.
The case also challenges the legality of the emergency declaration and subsequent suspensions. Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed granted permission for substituted service of court documents via courier, citing difficulties in serving the defendants personally.
The named defendants include President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the National Assembly, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Vice Admiral Ibas (retd).
READ ALSO: PDP govs yet to summon FG on Rivers emergency rule – AGF
House forms Ad-Hoc committee to monitor Rivers governance
In a separate development, the House of Representatives will inaugurate an ad-hoc committee on Tuesday to oversee legislative functions in Rivers State during the emergency period.
The committee, chaired by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, was formed in line with Section 11(4) of the Constitution and aims to ensure governance remains constitutionally grounded.
House spokesman Akin Rotimi stated that the National Assembly had made key amendments to the emergency proclamation to uphold checks and balances, including vesting oversight powers in the legislature rather than the Federal Executive Council.
Other members of the committee include Idris Wase, Muktar Betara, Sada Soli, Abiodun Faleke, and Iduma Igariwey, among others. The secretariat will be led by Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi.
Political leaders weigh in
Former Bayelsa Governor and current Senator, Seriake Dickson, visited suspended Governor Fubara in Port Harcourt, commending his calm demeanour amid political upheaval.
In a Facebook post, Dickson urged Rivers people to remain peaceful and warned against any actions that could destabilise the Niger Delta or damage critical oil infrastructure.
Meanwhile, ex-militant leader and head of Tantita Security Services, Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), broke his silence during his 54th birthday celebrations.
He expressed confidence that Fubara would return to office and confirmed that dialogue between Fubara and Wike was underway. He emphasised unity among the Ijaw people and called for peace and restraint.
“We are already discussing. Both he and Wike are like father and son… Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all,” Tompolo said.
READ ALSO: Rivers Emergency: Tompolo breaks silence, vows Fubara’s return
