According to Reports, the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone, has taken legal action against the Federal Government at the ECOWAS Court of Justice, challenging what they describe as the unconstitutional removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and other elected officials. They argue that President Bola Tinubu’s actions violate democratic principles and have asked the court to overturn them.
The suit, filed under case number ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, is spearheaded by Comrade Ibiso Harry and 11 others. They are also contesting the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the appointment of a Sole Administrator to govern for six months. The applicants maintain that such measures undermine democratic institutions and strip the people of Rivers State of their political rights.
Citing various ECOWAS legal provisions, the plaintiffs argue that an elected president has no constitutional authority to suspend or remove a democratically elected governor. They describe the federal intervention as a blatant abuse of power, claiming it has eroded democratic governance in the state.
Furthermore, they contend that Tinubu’s directive effectively nullifies the rights of Rivers residents to choose their leaders, replacing an elected government with an undemocratic structure. They liken this move to a return to authoritarian rule, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
The suit also condemns the imposition of a new political order that disregards constitutional norms, arguing that the forceful removal of elected leaders in any part of the country undermines the legitimacy of the entire democratic system. They insist that a state of emergency should not be used as a pretext to usurp the executive and legislative functions of a state government.
The case, filed through a legal team led by Chief Festus Ogwuche, seeks a ruling that will restore Rivers State’s democratic institutions and reaffirm the constitutional limits of presidential authority. A hearing date has yet to be scheduled.
