A lawsuit has been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the removal of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The suit names President Bola Tinubu as the primary defendant, with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd.), and the Attorneys-General of all 36 Nigerian states also listed as defendants.
Filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, the lawsuit aims to invalidate all actions and decisions made by Vice Admiral Ibas in his role as Sole Administrator, arguing they are unconstitutional.
The plaintiff is also seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent President Tinubu from removing or suspending the Rivers State Governor and Deputy Governor, or appointing any Sole Administrator in any of the 36 states.
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In the Originating Summons, the plaintiff asks the court to determine whether President Tinubu has the constitutional authority to remove or suspend elected governors and appoint a Sole Administrator, considering relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution.
The plaintiff argues that the Constitution only allows for the removal or interruption of a governor’s tenure under specific circumstances outlined in sections 180, 188, 189, and 306.
The suit seeks declarations that President Tinubu’s suspension of the Rivers State Governor and Deputy Governor, and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas, are unconstitutional and void.
It also requests orders to set aside these actions and direct Vice Admiral Ibas to vacate the Rivers State Government House.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, the plaintiff asserts that while the President can declare a state of emergency, he lacks the power to suspend elected officials.
He emphasizes the absence of the term “Sole Administrator” in the Constitution and stresses the importance of upholding the rule of law and the Constitution’s integrity.
The plaintiff expresses concern that without court intervention, the removal of elected governors could become a common practice, leading to anarchy.
He requests the court to grant the prayers in the Originating Summons.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
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