Eleven PDP governors have approached the Supreme Court to challenge President Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State’s elected officials and imposition of emergency rule, calling it unconstitutional
ABUJA — Eleven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have filed a suit at the Supreme Court challenging President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State’s elected officials and imposition of emergency rule, calling the move unconstitutional.
The suit, marked SC/CV/329/2025 and filed Tuesday, questions Tinubu’s authority to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state assembly, replacing them with sole administrator Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.). The plaintiffs—Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa—argue the president violated Sections 1(2), 5(2), and 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
“Can the President lawfully suspend a governor and replace him with an unelected administrator under emergency rule?” the suit asks, urging the court to void Tinubu’s March 18 proclamation.
Supreme Court spokesperson Dr. Festus Akande confirmed the filing to The PUNCH, though federal justice officials claimed they were yet to be served. Bayelsa Governor Duoye Diri, while demanding Rivers’ reinstatement, had earlier avoided confirming the lawsuit.
The case escalates tensions between PDP states and the Federal Government, with the National Assembly backing Tinubu’s decision.