An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking the removal of the recently appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd).
Jideobi is urging the court to nullify and set aside all actions and decisions taken by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd) in his capacity as Sole Administrator of Rivers State, arguing that his appointment is unconstitutional, null, and void. He contends that such an appointment has no legal basis under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and should be deemed ineffective throughout the country.
Key Prayers of the Suit
1. Perpetual Injunction Against President Tinubu
Jideobi is asking the court to issue a perpetual order of injunction, preventing President Bola Tinubu (the 1st defendant) or anyone acting on his behalf from: Removing, suspending, or interfering with the tenure of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State.Tampering with the tenure of any Governor or Deputy Governor in any of the 36 states of the federation.
2. Ban on Appointing Sole Administrators
The plaintiff also seeks a court order prohibiting President Tinubu from: Appointing any Sole Administrator or any other unelected official to govern any state in Nigeria. Using any mechanism to impose a state leader outside constitutional provisions.
Legal Questions Raised
Through a team of lawyers led by Chimezie Enuka, Jideobi has asked the court to determine: Whether the President of Nigeria has the constitutional power to remove, suspend, or interfere with the tenure of an elected Governor or Deputy Governor and replace them with a Sole Administrator.
Whether the 1999 Constitution (as amended) allows any form of interruption to a Governor’s tenure other than those explicitly stated in Sections 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the Constitution.
Declarations Sought from the Court
Jideobi is seeking multiple judicial declarations, including: A ruling that the only legal grounds for removing a Governor or Deputy Governor are those outlined in Sections 180, 188, 189, and 306 of the Constitution, and no other circumstances including presidential intervention are valid.
A judgment declaring President Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor and Deputy Governor on March 18, 2025, as unconstitutional, null, and void. A court order invalidating the nomination, appointment, and swearing-in of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd) as Rivers State Sole Administrator.
A directive for Vice Admiral Ibas to vacate the Rivers State Government House immediately.
Injunction to Protect Governor Siminalayi Fubara
Additionally, the plaintiff is requesting a court order restraining President Tinubu from suspending or interfering with the tenure of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
The lawsuit challenges executive overreach and seeks to uphold constitutional democracy by preventing any form of undemocratic governance at the state level.
