ABUJA, FCT – July 10, 2025 – The controversy surrounding the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State continues to escalate, with Dr. Farah Dagogo, a former Member of the House of Representatives, firmly asserting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s suspension of elected officials in the state constitutes a grave violation of the Nigerian Constitution and a “rape of democracy.”
In proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Dagogo, through his legal counsel, reiterated that the President’s actions of March 18, 2025, which included the imposition of a State of Emergency in Rivers State and the subsequent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, and all 32 members of the State House of Assembly, were unconstitutional and unlawful. The President’s decision, which garnered ratification from both chambers of the National Assembly two days later, led to the temporary removal of the state’s entire elected leadership for an initial six-month period. In their stead, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Administrator of Rivers State – a move that has drawn widespread criticism from civil society organizations and constitutional scholars alike.
During Wednesday’s hearing, only the first and fifth respondents, represented by Prof. Kanyinsola Ajayi, SAN, and Abduljabar Aliyu, respectively, were present. Notably, the third and fourth respondents, the Nigerian Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, continued their trend of non-appearance in the matter.
Presiding over the case, Justice James Omotosho clarified from the bench that, contrary to prevalent social media speculation, the court remains steadfast in its commitment to adjudicating the matter strictly on its legal merits. The judge further directed that hearing notices be reissued to the absent third and fourth respondents to ensure their proper representation at the subsequent sitting.
The case has been adjourned to October 7, 2025, coinciding with the commencement of the court’s annual vacation.
Addressing journalists after the proceedings, Barrister Babafemi Adegbite, a member of Dr. Dagogo’s legal team, underscored the constitutional gravity of the matter and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to pursuing justice through legal avenues.
“This suit was initially filed at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt but was later transferred to Abuja under circumstances we will address at the appropriate time,” Adegbite stated. “What is most important is that we are determined to ventilate our client’s constitutional grievances before the court and obtain judgment based on law and democratic principle.”
Barrister Adegbite concluded, “Our contention is that the President acted ultra vires the Constitution by suspending a democratically elected government and appointing an unelected Administrator. This was further endorsed by the National Assembly, which, rather than act as a check, became complicit in undermining democratic governance. This is a grave constitutional matter, and we are resolute in pursuing it to its logical conclusion for the sake of democratic integrity and posterity.”
