Leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, have taken the Federal Government to the ECOWAS Court of Justice over what they describe as the illegal suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials by President Bola Tinubu.
The 12 applicants, led by Comrade Ibiso Harry, also challenged Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In the suit, marked ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, the group urged the regional court to overturn the suspension of elected officials and the removal of democratic institutions in the state. They argued that restoring democratic governance was essential.
The applicants further sought an order nullifying all directives and decisions made by the Sole Administrator appointed by President Tinubu on March 18 to oversee Rivers State for six months.
Citing provisions in ECOWAS legal protocols, they contended that Tinubu, as an elected president, lacked the authority to suspend or remove a state governor who was also elected. They argued that the removal of Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly violated their fundamental human rights.
They claimed Tinubu’s actions had eroded democratic governance in the state, forcing an unconstitutional and undemocratic system on the people. They also asserted that disrupting democratic order in any part of the country undermines Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
According to the applicants, imposing a state of emergency should not be used as a pretext to usurp the governor’s executive powers or the legislature’s law-making functions.
The suit was filed through a legal team led by Chief Festus Ogwuche. No date has been set for the hearing.
