The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.
The six-month suspension was announced alongside the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. However, SERAP argues that the move is unconstitutional and undermines democratic governance.
Filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, the suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/558/2025) was brought by three members of SERAP’s Volunteers’ Lawyers Network (SVLN) in Rivers State—Yirabari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and newly appointed Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), are also named as defendants.
SERAP is seeking an order to overturn Tinubu’s suspension of the elected officials and the appointment of Ibas, arguing that it violates both the Nigerian Constitution and international law. In a statement, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, stated that democracy and the rule of law demand respect for the people’s right to participate in governance.
“The suspension of the democratically elected officials in Rivers State seriously undermines the ability of the plaintiffs to participate effectively in their government, the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, and the rule of law,” the statement read.
SERAP contends that the president’s power to declare a state of emergency under Section 305 of the Constitution is not absolute and must be exercised in a way that respects democratic participation. The lawsuit also seeks a declaration that Tinubu’s actions are “unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void” and an injunction preventing Ibas from acting as sole administrator.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
