NIGERIA: SERAP Drags Tinubu To Court Over Rivers Governor, Lawmakers’ Suspension

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has initiated legal proceedings against President Bola Tinubu, following his decision to suspend the democratically elected officials in Rivers State.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, challenged Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency and the subsequent suspension of the state governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly, a move that SERAP deems both unconstitutional and contrary to the principles of democratic governance.

Represented by three members of its Volunteers’ Lawyers Network in Rivers State; Yirabari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal, and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho – the organization claims that the suspension violates specific constitutional provisions designed to balance presidential authority with citizens’ rights to participate in government.

SERAP’s statement, issued by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized that the rule of law and respect for human rights are fundamental to Nigeria’s democracy, and that the arbitrary suspension of elected officials undermines these very principles.

In addition to President Tinubu, the suit names the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as well as Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who was appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. SERAP argues that the president’s actions not only contravene the Nigerian Constitution, citing the delicate balance established by its various sections, but also breach international legal obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.

The organization warned that such an overreach of presidential power could erode the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and jeopardize the nation’s democratic foundations.

The legal challenge seeks a judicial order to reverse the suspension and nullify the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the state’s administrator, asserting that Tinubu’s intervention was unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void.