Former lawmaker Dr. Farah Dagogo, who is running for governor of Rivers State in 2023, has called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to suspend the state’s elected authorities a “democratic travesty” and a flagrant violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Dagogo denounced the President’s March 18, 2025 action, which involved declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State and suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all 32 members of the State House of Assembly, in a statement made through his attorney at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. He maintained that the action was illegal and unconstitutional.
For the first six months, the state’s elected leadership was essentially overthrown by the contentious suspension, which was ultimately upheld by the Senate and House of Representatives. Civil society organizations and legal experts have criticized President Tinubu’s appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Rivers State Administrator in their place.
Prof. Kanyinsola Ajayi, SAN, and Abduljabar Aliyu, respectively, represented just the first and fifth respondents at Wednesday’s court session.
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In keeping with a pattern of absenteeism in the lawsuit, the third and fourth respondents—the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Nigerian Senate—again did not show up for court.
The case’s judge, Justice James Omotosho, responded to rumors on social media that the judiciary had been infiltrated.
He gave the public his word that the court will continue to make decisions only on the basis of the law and the constitution.
In order to guarantee the absent respondents’ presence at the upcoming court date, he additionally directed that new hearing notifications be given to them.
The case has been postponed until October 7, 2025, because the court has begun its yearly vacation.
A member of Dagogo’s legal team, Barrister Babafemi Adegbite, spoke to reporters following the session, highlighting the constitutional importance of the issue and restating their resolve to seek justice in court.
“Under circumstances we intend to address at the appropriate time, this case was initially filed in Port Harcourt but later moved to Abuja,” Adegbite said.
“The fundamental constitutional breach at the center of this lawsuit continues to be our primary emphasis. Our goal is to obtain a ruling that supports democratic principles and the rule of law.
Adegbite claims that by suspending an elected administration and appointing an unelected administrator, the president went beyond his constitutional authority. The democratic foundation was weakened when the National Assembly, which ought to have served as a safeguard, approved the action. We are committed to completing this, not only for our client but also for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy going forward.
