Abuja, April 10, 2025 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, were notably absent on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where hearing was scheduled in a suit challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
Presiding over the matter, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the suit to June 11, 2025, following confirmation from the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Chimezie Enuka, that while most parties had been served, the Attorneys-General of Zamfara and Bauchi States were yet to receive service.
The plaintiff, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, is asking the court to declare President Tinubu’s appointment of a Sole Administrator for Rivers State as unconstitutional, asserting that there is no legal or constitutional basis for the President to suspend or remove a sitting governor and deputy governor in any Nigerian state.
Highlights of the Plaintiff’s Demands
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, Jideobi asked the court to:
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Nullify all decisions and actions taken by Vice Admiral Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
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Issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining President Tinubu from suspending or removing any state governor or deputy governor, or appointing a Sole Administrator in any state.
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Set aside the appointment and swearing-in of Ibas, and direct him to vacate the Government House in Rivers State immediately.
Constitutional Questions Raised
Central to the suit is the constitutional legality of President Tinubu’s alleged suspension of the elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State on March 18, 2025, and his subsequent appointment of a retired naval officer to administer the state.
The plaintiff is seeking judicial interpretation on whether, under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), any provision permits the President to intervene in state governance by suspending duly elected officials and installing a federal appointee in their place.
He cited sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the Constitution, arguing that none grant such powers to the President, and that the only legal grounds for a governor’s removal are by expiration of term, impeachment, incapacity, or resignation.
Who Are the Defendants?
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1st Defendant: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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2nd Defendant: Attorney-General of the Federation
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3rd Defendant: Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.)
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4th–39th Defendants: Attorneys-General of Nigeria’s 36 states
Justice Omotosho ordered the re-service of hearing notices on all the defendants ahead of the next hearing date.
What’s Next?
With the matter now adjourned to June 11, 2025, legal observers say the case could set a significant precedent for the limits of presidential power in Nigeria’s federal system. If successful, the suit could also reassert the constitutional autonomy of state governments, especially in politically sensitive situations like that currently unfolding in Rivers State.
