Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, 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 suit, filed by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, contends that the appointment of a sole administrator to govern a state is unconstitutional and should be declared null and void. It was officially assigned to Justice Omotosho last week.
President Bola Tinubu is named as the 1st defendant in the case, alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibas, and the Attorneys-General of Nigeria’s 36 states, listed as 2nd to 39th defendants. The suit is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025.
Jideobi argues that the President’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly was unconstitutional—even under a declared state of emergency. He warns that such actions, if left unchecked, could become a dangerous precedent.
“I instituted this suit in the public interest to defend the rule of law and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution,” Jideobi stated in his affidavit. “Without judicial intervention, the arbitrary removal of elected state leaders could lead to national instability.”
According to him, while the Constitution empowers the President to declare a state of emergency, it does not authorize him to suspend elected officials.
President Tinubu had recently suspended the state leadership following security concerns in Rivers, subsequently appointing Ibas to administer the state until peace is restored.
Jideobi is asking the court to void all decisions and actions taken by Ibas in his capacity as Sole Administrator, labeling them unconstitutional and of no legal effect nationwide. He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the President—or anyone acting on his behalf—from suspending any governor or deputy governor in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Ibas has appealed for legislative support to enable his administration to implement key development initiatives. He made this request during a visit by the Senate Committee on Works, led by Senator Barinada Mpigi, to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The committee was accompanied by a delegation from Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, led by Managing Director Dr. Peer Lubasch.
Ibas highlighted his administration’s priorities, including maintaining security, improving infrastructure, and supporting socioeconomic growth. He said a new budget was being finalized, focused on healthcare, education, agriculture, technology, and job creation.
“We are working to ensure the process is transparent and inclusive,” Ibas said. “With your continued support, we can secure the resources and legislative backing needed to deliver lasting progress.”
He emphasized Rivers State’s strategic importance as Nigeria’s economic hub, noting the presence of critical infrastructure such as ports, oil and gas facilities, and refineries. However, he acknowledged the challenges of maintaining and expanding these due to limited resources.
Ibas appealed to lawmakers to help fast-track ongoing federal projects and ensure Rivers receives adequate federal support.
“Your advocacy in the National Assembly is key to ensuring Rivers State gets the attention and resources it deserves,” he told the delegation.
Since taking office on March 20, Ibas said his administration has prioritized restoring peace and fostering a stable environment for investment and development. He noted ongoing consultations with civil society, traditional rulers, and local government leaders to rebuild public trust.
“With your continued collaboration, we can turn Rivers State into a beacon of peace, prosperity, and progress,” he concluded.
Senator Mpigi, in his remarks, said the committee’s visit was to inspect ongoing federal projects, including the Bodo-Bonny road and the Coastal road project, which is 40% completed. He commended the administrator and urged him to continue safeguarding infrastructure and protecting lives and property during the state of emergency.
