ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for April 10, 2025, to address a suit challenging the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Rtd, as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The lawsuit, filed by Abuja-based legal practitioner Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, seeks to annul all actions taken by Ibas in his capacity as the Sole Administrator, deeming them unconstitutional and without legal effect.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, lists President Bola Tinubu as the first defendant, along with several other government officials, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Attorneys-General of Nigeria’s 36 states.
The plaintiff argues that the president does not possess the constitutional authority to remove, suspend, or tamper with the tenure of a duly elected governor and deputy governor, particularly by appointing a sole administrator to replace them.
The lawsuit stems from the suspension of the Rivers State Governor and Deputy Governor on March 18, 2025, and the subsequent appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as Sole Administrator.
The plaintiff contends that this action violates the Nigerian Constitution, specifically sections related to the removal and replacement of state governors.
In his affidavit, Jideobi emphasizes that while President Tinubu has the power to declare a state of emergency in certain circumstances, he cannot arbitrarily remove elected officials.
He calls the appointment of Ibas unconstitutional, as there is no provision for the role of “Sole Administrator” in the Nigerian Constitution.
The court will also consider whether the president had the right to interfere in the governance of Rivers State and if the actions taken should be invalidated.
The plaintiff has requested that the court issue a ruling nullifying the suspension and removal of the state’s elected officials and order Vice Admiral Ibas to vacate the Rivers State Government House.
