The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a suit filed by ten Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-governed states challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
A seven-member panel, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, reserved judgment after the parties adopted their written submissions during Tuesday’s proceedings.
The suit (SC/CV/329/2025) was originally filed by eleven states—Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa but Delta State withdrew during the hearing.
Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), counsel for the plaintiffs, stated that the case does not dispute the President’s general power to declare a state of emergency but questions the legality of suspending the governor, deputy governor, and members of the state assembly under such a declaration.
The suit follows President Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State due to a political crisis.
The President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, and state lawmakers, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as Sole Administrator for six months.
The PDP states asked the Supreme Court to determine whether the President has constitutional authority to suspend elected officials and appoint an administrator in their place.
They also argued that the process used to declare the emergency violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, urged the court to dismiss the case, calling it speculative and without merit.
He argued that the President acted within his constitutional powers to restore order in the state.
Fagbemi said the officials were not removed but temporarily suspended to maintain governance and order.
He accused the plaintiffs of overstepping in their legal challenge.
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Counsel for the National Assembly, Charles Yohila, supported Fagbemi’s position and also asked the court to dismiss the suit.
Justice Okoro said the hearing by stating that judgment would be delivered on a date to be communicated to the parties.
