The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has scheduled April 10 for the hearing of a suit challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The legal action, which lists President Bola Tinubu as the first defendant, has been assigned to Justice James Omotosho. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd), and the Attorneys-General of the 36 states are listed as the second to 39th defendants in the suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025.
The suit was filed by Abuja-based lawyer Mr. Johnmary Jideobi. He is seeking the court’s declaration that all actions and decisions made by Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd) in the capacity of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State are unconstitutional, null, and void throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Jideobi is also urging the court to issue a perpetual injunction preventing President Tinubu, his officers, agents, or any person acting under his authority from removing, suspending, or interfering with the tenure of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State or any other state in the country.
Additionally, the lawyer is seeking an order that bars the president from appointing any Sole Administrator to any State Government House in the 36 states for any reason.
In the originating summons filed by a consortium of lawyers led by Mr. Chimezie Enuka, the plaintiff seeks the court’s interpretation of the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. He argues that the constitution does not grant the president the authority to remove or suspend a duly elected Governor or Deputy Governor of any state, nor to appoint a Sole Administrator as done with Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd).
The suit specifically seeks a declaration that, based on sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the Constitution, the president has no legal authority to tamper with the tenure of elected state officials. The plaintiff also wants the court to declare the suspension of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State, which allegedly occurred on March 18, 2025, as unconstitutional, null, and void.
Furthermore, Jideobi seeks the court’s order to set aside the appointment and swearing-in of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, declaring it unconstitutional and of no legal effect. He also requests an order directing Vice Admiral Ibas to immediately vacate the Government House of Rivers State.
In a supporting affidavit comprising 32 paragraphs, Jideobi contends that, although the president has the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency, he does not have the authority to suspend elected officials, as they are not his appointees.
“As a Nigerian lawyer, throughout my years of practice, I have never seen the term ‘Sole Administrator’ in the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Jideobi stated.
He added that no governor or deputy governor is appointed by the president or the attorney general. The lawyer expressed concern that if the court does not intervene, the removal of duly elected governors may become a routine exercise by the president, leading to potential anarchy.
“It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons,” Jideobi added.
