A lawsuit has been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the removal of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The plaintiff, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, is challenging the constitutionality of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Attorneys-General of the 36 states are listed as defendants in the suit.
Jideobi argued that the President has no constitutional authority to remove or suspend the tenure of a duly elected governor and deputy governor, citing sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution.
“The President’s action is unconstitutional, null, and void,” Jideobi stated in the affidavit. “As a Nigerian Lawyer and all through my years of practice, I have never seen the word ‘Sole Administrator’ in the amended 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Jideobi further stated, “I know that neither the 1st Defendant nor the 2nd Defendant appointed the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria and that no Governor or Deputy Governor in Nigeria is an appointee of the 1st and 2nd Defendants.”
He emphasized, “I know that Nigeria practices Federalism hinged on separation of power.”
Jideobi explained that he instituted the suit in the public interest, stating, “I have instituted this suit in the public interest, in the defence of the Rule of Law and accentuation of the supremacy of the Constitution and to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian Constitution which is the most sacred document that holds the Nigerian State in balance and in being.”
He expressed concern about the implications of the President’s action, saying, “I am genuinely worried that, in the absence of the intervention of this Court, removal of duly elected Governors and Deputy-Governors, may become the pastime of the President thereby opening the floodgate of anarchy capable of consuming this nation.”
Jideobi concluded, “It will be in the interest of justice for this Honourable Court to grant the prayers contained on the face of this Originating Summons.”
The plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the President’s action is unconstitutional and an order setting aside the appointment of Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. He is also seeking an order directing Ibas to vacate the Government House of Rivers State immediately.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter.