President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has been sued at the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) in Abuja over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of its democratically elected government.
The lawsuit, filed on March 20, 2025, and registered as ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, challenges the federal government’s decision to dissolve democratic structures in the state. The plaintiffs, led by Harry Ibiso and 11 others, alongside the Eastern Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council, are seeking a court order to overturn the removal of elected officials and restore democratic governance in Rivers State.
The applicants are also demanding the nullification of all directives and policies issued by the Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, who was appointed by President Tinubu on March 18.
According to the suit, brought under various ECOWAS Court protocols and rules, the plaintiffs argue that President Tinubu, despite being an elected official himself, lacks the constitutional authority to remove or suspend an elected state governor. They contend that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly violates the fundamental rights of the state’s residents.
“The defendant has unlawfully stripped the applicants and the people of Rivers State of their democratic rights, undermining their existence and dignity by depriving them of their elected leaders,” the plaintiffs stated.
They further argued that the declaration of a state of emergency should not be used as a pretext to override the executive and legislative functions of an elected government.
The suit was filed with an affidavit deposed by constitutional lawyer Festus Ogwuche and others.
As of now, the ECOWAS Court has not set a date for the hearing.
This legal challenge follows Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18. The move, approved by the National Assembly on Thursday despite opposition outcry, led to the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as the sole administrator of the state, who has since assumed office.
