Lawyer Sues To Remove Rivers Sole Administrator As Afenifere Condemns Akpabio Over Emergency Rule
Lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He seeks the removal of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The suit follows President Bola Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
In the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, the plaintiff, represented by a legal team led by Chimezie Enuka, urged the court to nullify all actions taken by Ibas. He argues that his appointment is unconstitutional and legally void.
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers for six months. In response, he appointed Ibas to oversee the state’s administration. However, Jideobi contended that while the President has the authority to declare an emergency, he lacks the power to suspend elected officials.
The suit names President Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Ibas, and the attorneys-general of Nigeria’s 36 states as defendants. The plaintiff is seeking a perpetual injunction preventing the President from interfering with the tenure of elected officials in Rivers State or any other part of the country.
Jideobi also argued that the position of “Sole Administrator” does not exist under the 1999 Constitution, asserting that Nigeria’s governance structure is based on the separation of powers. He emphasized that the lawsuit was filed in the public interest to uphold constitutional principles and safeguard democracy.
The court has yet to schedule a hearing date.
Meanwhile, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has condemned the National Assembly for failing to challenge what it described as President Tinubu’s “despotic” decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers State.
In a communique issued after its monthly meeting, Afenifere, through its Chairman, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and Secretary, Justice Faloye, called for the reversal of the state of emergency. The group accused the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, of lacking the courage to defend democracy, stating that the use of a voice vote to approve the emergency rule undermined constitutional governance.
Afenifere also demanded the resignation of the National Assembly’s leadership, citing a failure to uphold democratic principles. It warned that the move to replace an elected government with a military-style administrator sets a dangerous precedent that could erode Nigeria’s democracy.
The group likened the situation to historical instances of authoritarian rule, urging Nigerians to take action to protect the nation’s democratic framework and prevent an executive power grab.
Read also:
Rivers Head Of Service Resigns As New SSG Appointed
SERAP Sues Tinubu Over Suspension Of Rivers Governor, Deputy, And Lawmakers
