Some indigenes of Rivers State have kick-started the move to reverse the illegalities including the declaration of a state of emergency and imposition of a sole administrator on the State.

Belema Briggs, Princess Wai-Ogosu, and three others, suing for themselves and residents of Rivers State, have dragged President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, and Nigerian Navy to court demanding the reversal of the illegalities in the State.

Counsel to the claimants, Dolapo Tella-Attoni told Kristina Reports that his clients are asking in suit number: FHC/ PH/CS/51/2025 for the court grant them the following reliefs:  

1. A declaration, that upon a proper construction of Sections 1, 4,5, 11, 180, 188 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended), the 1 defendant does not have the power to suspend and/or remove the Executive Arm of the Government of Rivers State which is an elective office that enjoys a fixed tenure of 4 years?  
2. A declaration that, upon a proper construction of Sections 4(6) and 5(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended), the 1″ defendant is not entitled to and/or cannot validly confer and/or vest in and/or delegate to the 4 defendant the right or authority to exercise the Executive Powers of the Government of Rivers State. 
3. A declaration that the State of Emergency declared and/or proclaimed by the 1″ respondent on 18th day of March, 2025 suspending the offices of the Executive Governor, Deputy Governor and State House of Assembly of Rivers State of Nigeria is illegal and in brazen breach of the provisions of Sections 1, 4, 5, 11 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).
4. A declaration that by virtue of Sections S (1) & (2), 305 and 11 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (supra), the 1 defendant lacks the power to appoint and/or nominate the 4th respondent (Vice Admiral lbok-Ette Ibas) as Administrator to run the affairs of the Government of Rivers State which has elected Executive and Legislative arms of Government in place. 
5. A declaration that the Suspension from offices of the elected Executive and Legislative Arms of the Government of Rivers State and the consequent appointment of the 4th respondent as administrator thereto amount to a coup and/or an unlawful takeover and control of Rivers State, a Federating Unit and/or “Part’ of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and therefore in violation of Section1 of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (supra)? 
6. A declaration that the Suspension from offices of the elected Executive and Legislative Arms of the Government of Rivers State and consequent appointment of the 4th respondent as administrator thereto is in violation of Article 13 (1) of the AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS (RATIFICATION AND ENFORCEMENT) Act, CAP.A9, THE LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004 which provides for the Right of the Plaintiffs who are Nigerian Citizens resident in Rivers State and entitled to participate freely in the government of Rivers State, either directly or through freely chosen representatives?  
7. An Order setting aside the said Suspension from offices of the elected Executive and Legislative Arms of the Government of Rivers State and the consequent appointment of the 4th respondent as administrator thereto. 
8. An Order of perpetual injunction restraining and prohibiting the 4th defendant from acting as Administrator of Rivers State and/or exercising the Executive Powers of the Government of Rivers State.  
9. An Order vacating and nullifying all appointments and nominations into executive and/or administrative offices or positions of the Rivers State Government and in the 23 Local Government Councils of Rivers State made by the 4th defendant. 
10. An order directing the 4th defendants to vacate the Government House of Rivers State not being the duly elected Executive Governor of Rivers State. 
11. An Order directing the 5″ Respondent to withdraw her officers and/or naval personnel stationed at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
12. An Order restoring the offices of the Executive Governor, Deputy Governor and State House of Assembly of Rivers State of Nigeria purportedly suspended and /or removed from offices without authority by the 1st defendant on 18th of March, 2025.

Mr. Tella-Attoni stated that the action by concerned residents of Rivers State seeks to challenge and question the power of the President of Nigeria to suspend an elected Executive Governor from office and the House of Assembly.

“Mind you, both the President and Governor derived their existence and powers from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended). In consequence, the Governor is not and cannot be treated as a staff, employee or servant of the President.”

He confirmed to Kristina Reports that all parties in the suit have been duly served the originating summons seeking for the nullification of the proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers State and the case adjourned to Wednesday, May 21, 2025 for hearing.