President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been taken to the ECOWAS Court in Abuja over his decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. The lawsuit, filed on March 20, 2025, challenges the suspension of elected leaders and the removal of democratic institutions in the state.
The case, identified as ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, was brought forward by Harry Ibiso and 11 others on behalf of the Eastern Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council. They are asking the court to cancel Tinubu’s decision, arguing that it goes against democratic principles.
The plaintiffs claim that President Tinubu does not have the legal power to remove Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state’s lawmakers. They argue that suspending elected officials violates the rights of Rivers State residents.
“By so doing, the defendant has unlawfully taken away the democratic rights of the applicants and that of the population of Rivers State, both individually and collectively.
“The implication therefore is that the applicants and the people of Rivers State have lost their existence and dignity as human beings, having been politically emasculated by the loss of the values that accompany democratic governance and deprived of leaders duly elected by them in the democratic space.
“A state of emergency cannot be a guise or subterfuge for the usurpation of the executive functions of the governor or the exercise of the lawmaking powers of the legislature,” the applicants held.
Additionally, they want the court to overturn all actions and policies made by the newly appointed sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas. Tinubu appointed Ibas on March 18, following the state of emergency declaration.
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability. Two days later, the National Assembly approved the decision, despite strong opposition from some political leaders.
Since then, Vice Admiral Ibas has taken over as the sole administrator of Rivers State. However, critics argue that his appointment undermines democracy and violates the rights of the people.
With the case now before the ECOWAS Court, all eyes are on the legal battle ahead. If the court rules against Tinubu, it could set a major precedent for democratic governance in Nigeria. For now, the people of Rivers State await the outcome of this legal challenge.
