The electorates of Rivers State have dragged President Bola Tinubu to court, challenging the legality of the state of emergency declared in the state.
The suit, filed on behalf of the electorates by lawyer Daniel Wariboko, seeks to determine whether the President has the power to suspend the democratically elected government of Rivers State.
According to the plaintiffs, the President’s action is “a clear violation of the Constitution and the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State.” They argue that the state of emergency declared by the President is “unconstitutional, null and void” and that it “amounts to an overthrow of the democratically elected government of Rivers State.”
The plaintiffs are contesting the President’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire members of the State House of Assembly.
They claim that this action is “a brazen assault on democracy” and that it “undermines the rule of law and the principles of democratic governance.”
The Case Against President Tinubu
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the President’s action is “unconstitutional, null and void” and that it “amounts to an overthrow of the democratically elected government of Rivers State.” They are also seeking an order restraining the President and other defendants from taking further action to enforce the state of emergency.
The court is being asked to determine:
– Whether a dispute between a governor and a state House of Assembly is grounds for declaring a state of emergency
– Whether the President has the power to suspend a democratically elected government
– Whether the President can appoint a sole administrator to run the affairs of a state when there is an elected government
– Whether the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is unconstitutional and null and void
“This is a clear case of executive overreach and an attempt to undermine the democratic process,” said Daniel Wariboko, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs. “We are confident that the court will uphold the Constitution and the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State.”
