A civil society organization, Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Preservation and Social Integration, has filed a suit before the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, challenging the legality of President Bola Tinubu’s actions regarding the governance of Rivers State.
In the originating summons, the group is asking the court to determine whether, by the provisions and interpretation of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President has the legal authority to suspend an executive governor of a state, with specific reference to the situation in Rivers State.
The organization is also seeking the court’s interpretation of Section 179 (subsection 1 and 2) of the Constitution to determine whether the appointment of a Sole Administrator for Rivers State by the President can lawfully override the authority of a democratically elected governor.
According to the originating summons, the plaintiff is asking the court to declare that the President’s proclamation suspending the governor of Rivers State is “ultra vires”, was grossly illegal, and in contravention of the intent of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They are also seeking a declaration that the appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, as announced by the President on March 28, 2025, cannot by law assume control or administer the affairs of the state.
When the matter came up for mention in court on Monday, counsel to the second and third defendants, Ola Faro, informed the court that he was yet to file a response to the originating summons and requested additional time to do so, noting that he was still within the legally permissible timeframe.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Amegua Lezina, did not oppose the request.
Presiding Judge, Justice Muhammad Turaki, subsequently adjourned the suit to July 21, 2025, for hearing.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, plaintiff’s counsel, Lezina, clarified that “the suit was not targeted at any individual or authority but was intended to uphold the rule of law and the constitutional order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Civil society group challenges Tinubu in court over governance in Rivers
