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Seven PDP States Challenge Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers at Supreme Court
In a significant legal move, seven states governed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu at the Supreme Court. The states are contesting the president’s decision to suspend Rivers State’s elected officials following the declaration of an emergency rule in the oil-rich state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The legal action, initiated by the Attorneys-General of the states, seeks a declaration that the president lacks the authority to suspend a democratically elected governor and deputy governor under the pretext of a state of emergency. According to Vanguard Newspaper, the plaintiffs argue that the constitutional provisions cited by President Tinubu do not grant him the power to dissolve the state’s House of Assembly.
The states are urging the court to rule the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State Assembly as unconstitutional and in direct violation of Nigeria’s constitution. They contend that the president’s actions amount to a blatant overreach of executive powers.
Background on the Emergency Rule
On March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating security concerns, including explosions and pipeline vandalism linked to political unrest. Consequently, he suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state legislature for an initial period of six months, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator.
The emergency declaration followed intense political tensions in the state, primarily attributed to the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The House of Representatives swiftly approved the emergency rule on March 20, with the Senate following suit after minor amendments.
Supreme Court Challenge
The seven states challenging the move—Adamawa, Bauchi, Zamfara, Plateau, Bayelsa, Enugu, and Osun—are seeking to overturn the suspension of Rivers’ elected officials. Their lawsuit also names the National Assembly as a co-defendant, arguing that its approval of the emergency rule was procedurally flawed.
Notably, each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones is represented among the plaintiffs, demonstrating the case’s national significance beyond partisan lines. However, four PDP-controlled states—Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Taraba—opted not to join the suit.
The plaintiffs maintain that President Tinubu overstepped his constitutional powers by suspending elected officials and appointing an unelected sole administrator. They further argue that the National Assembly’s approval of the emergency declaration via a voice vote was unconstitutional, as such decisions require a two-thirds majority of both chambers.
Legal Implications and Precedent
The lawsuit could set a significant legal precedent, as the Supreme Court will have to determine whether non-directly affected states have the standing to challenge the emergency rule in Rivers State. Historically, emergency rule has been declared in Nigeria’s states, with varying interpretations regarding the suspension of elected officials.
Under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, emergency rule led to the removal of elected officials in Plateau (2004) and Ekiti (2006). However, former President Goodluck Jonathan retained elected officials while declaring emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states during the Boko Haram insurgency in 2013.
This case will test the extent of executive authority under the 1999 Constitution, with legal experts divided on whether Tinubu’s action aligns with constitutional provisions. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the PDP states, it could redefine the legal framework for imposing emergency rule in Nigeria.
A faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by the Nenadi Usman Caretaker Committee has suspended 26 members loyal to the Julius Abure-led faction.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Factional Labour Party South-West Vice Chairman, Abayomi Arabambi, has insisted that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will never be allowed to return to the Labour Party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Arabambi said attempts by the Nenadi Usman-led faction to reintegrate Obi would fail, stressing that the party’s leadership has taken a final position on the matter.
He made the statement during an interview on News Central, saying the decision followed internal consultations involving key figures such as the Julius Abure-led leadership and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
According to him, the party has also resolved to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Arabambi further blamed Obi and his supporters for contributing to Labour Party’s internal challenges during the 2023 elections, alleging organizational failures during the polls.
He maintained that Obi’s return to the party is completely off the table, insisting that the issue is already settled within the party’s leadership structure.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has dismissed claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that it is part of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement on Thursday, NNPP National Secretary Ogini Olaposi said the party is not affiliated with the ADC and has no plans to join or merge with the coalition.
He clarified that the involvement of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and members of the Kwankwasiya Movement in ADC activities does not represent the NNPP as a political party.
Olaposi also claimed that only a minority of Kwankwasiya supporters followed Kwankwaso, insisting that many of them have since joined the APC.
He further accused Atiku of misinformation, stressing that NNPP remains an independent political party focused on contesting elections on its own platform.
According to him, any previous association with the Kwankwasiya Movement ended after the 2023 general elections, adding that Kwankwaso and some associates had already been expelled from the party.
The NNPP maintained that it respects other political parties but has no interest in joining the ADC coalition.
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