Supreme Court To Fix Date To Hear Rivers Emergency Rule Lawsuit 

The Supreme Court may announce on Monday a hearing date for the high-profile constitutional suit filed by 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors challenging the Federal Government’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

He appointed retired naval officer Ibokette Ibas as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs. The National Assembly subsequently ratified the proclamation through a voice vote.

To defend the decision, The PUNCH, reports that the Federal Government has assembled a 16-member legal team, including 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN). Others in the team include Prof. Kanyinsola Ajayi, Jelili Owonikoko, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Tijani Gazali, Babatunde Obama, Olawale Fapohunda, Olumide Olujinmi, Akinyemi Olujinmi, and Ademola Abimbola.

Additional lawyers on the team include Akinsola Olujinmi, Oluwole Ilori, Abdulwahab Abayomi, Mojeed Balogun, Jideuche Ezi, and Ramat Tijani.

The Federal Government, through this team, has filed a preliminary objection and a counter-affidavit dated May 9, urging the apex court to dismiss the PDP governors’ suit on several grounds.

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PDP Governors Challenge Legality of Emergency Rule

The plaintiffs—Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa—filed suit SC/CV/329/2025, seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the President’s powers under the Constitution.

They asked the court to determine whether a president has the constitutional authority to suspend duly elected governors, deputy governors, and lawmakers and replace them with unelected appointees under a state of emergency.

The governors also questioned whether the National Assembly acted lawfully by approving the emergency declaration through a voice vote rather than a two-thirds majority of members in each chamber as required by the Constitution.

In their reliefs, the governors prayed for a declaration nullifying the emergency proclamation in Official Gazette No. 47 of 2025, and sought a perpetual injunction restraining the Federal Government from suspending state officials or legislatures under emergency proclamations.