11 PDP governors challenge Fubara’s suspension at Supreme Court
Eleven governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, through their state attorneys, on Tuesday filed a suit challenging the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Governors of Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa states filed a suit contesting the suspension of the Rivers State governor, Mr Fubara, by President Bola Tinubu in March.
The plaintiffs in the suit urged the apex court to determine whether the president has the power to suspend a democratically elected structure of a state.
They asked the apex court to determine if the manner in which a state of emergency was declared in Rivers State—leading to the suspension of Mr. Fubara and other state executives—was not in contravention of the 1999 Constitution.
The governors further prayed the court to determine: “Whether upon a proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can lawfully suspend or in any manner whatsoever interfere with the offices of a Governor and the Deputy Governor.”
They also asked the court to determine and interpret: “Sections 1(2), 4(6), 11(4) & (5), 90, 105 and 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, [to determine] if the president can lawfully suspend the House of Assembly of any of the component 36 States of the Federation of Nigeria, under the guise of, or pursuant to, a Proclamation of a State of Emergency in any of such States, particularly in any of the Plaintiffs’ States?”
Meanwhile, the respondents in the suit are, within 14 days after the service of the summons on them (inclusive of the day of such service), required to cause an appearance to be entered on their behalf.
In a shocking move that most legal scholars in Nigeria deemed to be an unconstitutional act, Mr Tinubu announced the suspension of Mr Fubara, a PDP governor, his deputy Ngozi Odu and Rivers House of Assembly members for a six-month period over claims of political instability in the state.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
Information minister congratulates Ibietan on re-election as APRA scribe
Mr Idris described Mr Ibietan’s re-election as a well-deserved recognition of his professionalism.
States
Niger governor donates N100 million to IBBU’s College of Medicine, 41 pioneer medical students
Mr Bagana stated that the 41 pioneer medical students of the institution comprised 21 males and 20 females.
Politics
2027: Minister vows to mobilise one million votes for Tinubu, Radda in Katsina
Mr Rabe-Darma vowed to mobilise over one million votes for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Dikko Radda ahead of the 2027 elections.
Heading 5
Mamdani considers arresting Israeli PM Netanyahu if he visits New York
Mr Mamdani said his administration’s legal department is weighing the option of arresting the Israeli leader as determined by the law.
Lagos
LAWMA unveils reforms to end waste backlog in Lagos
He said conventional dumpsites were no longer sustainable because of Lagos’ coastal terrain, limited land availability and growing urban population.
Economy
EU bans destruction of unsold clothing
The policy took effect on Sunday, and the EU also announced it would extend to medium-sized companies starting in 2030.
