The Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to fix a date for hearing the high-stakes legal battle filed by eleven governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. The apex court’s hearing will commence after its Easter vacation, officials confirmed.
Dr. Festus Akande, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Supreme Court, said the matter would be scheduled upon the return of the Justices later in April. “You know the court is on vacation now, but when the Justices return at the end of the month, a hearing date will be fixed for the matter,” he stated.
At the heart of the legal storm is a suit, marked SC/CV/329/2025, challenging the President’s constitutional authority to suspend a democratically elected government and install an unelected administrator in its place. The PDP governors argue that Tinubu’s move, executed on March 18, 2025, was a direct affront to the democratic principles enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The emergency declaration resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. In their place, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator of the state for an initial six-month period.
The PDP governors—hailing from Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa—have described the move as unconstitutional, arbitrary, and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Assembly. The governors are asking the Supreme Court to determine whether, under Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188, and 305 of the Constitution, the President has the legal powers to suspend elected governors and their deputies and replace them with an unelected nominee.
They are also contesting the suspension of the Rivers State House of Assembly, questioning whether, under Sections 1(2), 4(6), 11(4) and (5), 90, 105, and 305, the President can unilaterally suspend a state legislature under the guise of a national emergency.
Legal experts say the outcome of this case could reshape the relationship between the executive and sub-national governments in Nigeria. “This suit tests the limits of executive power and the sanctity of democratic institutions. It will be a landmark case,” said constitutional lawyer Barrister Victor Ojei.
Further stoking the controversy are reports that the federal government, through the Attorney General, had allegedly issued veiled threats of suspending other elected governors in states deemed unstable. The PDP sees this as an attempt to intimidate opposition-led states and stifle democracy.
The case has sparked nationwide debate. Civil society organizations and pro-democracy groups have demanded transparency and swift adjudication from the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court must rise to defend constitutionalism. Any abuse of emergency powers could open the floodgates to dictatorship,” said Dr. Kemi Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Centre for Democratic Vigilance.
Despite the ongoing political crisis in Rivers, the state remains relatively calm under the temporary stewardship of Admiral Ibas. However, questions abound over the legitimacy of his administration and the continued silence of the National Assembly on the emergency proclamation, which many say lacked legislative backing as required by law.
The PDP is banking on the Supreme Court to nullify the President’s proclamation and restore the Fubara-led administration. Analysts believe the ruling will set a major precedent ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially with increasing tensions between federal and state authorities.
As Nigerians await the Supreme Court’s ruling after the Easter break, the stage is set for a historic legal showdown that could redefine federalism, governance, and constitutional order in the country.