The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, has continued to elicit mixed reactions across the country.
The latest reponse to the emergency rule declaration is coming from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) which has declared its intention to take legal action against the Federal Government.
New Daily Prime reported that on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; as well as members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
He subsequently appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the state.
This comes as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government at the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, challenging the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
In their opinion, the PDP governors contended that President Tinubu’s actions were unconstitutional and threatened Nigeria’s democratic principles.
Seeking legal intervention, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, criticised the declaration of a state of emergency, adding that the party’s governors’ forum would challenge the matter in court.
The Oyo State governor, in his bi-weekly newsletter— The Business of Governance (Issue 110)— noted that the suspension of democracy in the state was an illegal act that all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn.
Makinde said, “I am glad that our great party, the PDP is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership. The PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction. We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.
“I stand today to say that the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.
“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice.”
Makinde urged Nigerians to speak out whenever anything threatened the nation’s progress.
IYC DRAGS FG BEFORE ECOWAS COURT
Members of the Ijaw Youth Council have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government at the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, challenging the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
The suit, dated March 20, 2025, lists the applicants as Comrade Ibiso, John Benjamin, Alpheus Ngere, Tamunokuro Tomquin, Benjamin Kemuel, Fabians Abbey, Williams Toby, Dabo Briggs, Precious Otoni, Attah Ebirin, and Tonye Stephen.
The applicants are seeking an order from the ECOWAS Court to set aside the suspension of elected officials and the dissolution of democratic structures in Rivers State.
Additionally, they are requesting a court order nullifying all decisions made by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.), the sole administrator appointed by the President.
The suit also demands $10 million in punitive and exemplary damages for the alleged violations and hardships caused by the Federal Government’s actions.
