By Our reporter.
Abuja – Leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government at the ECOWAS Court of Justice, challenging the removal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other elected officials by President Bola Tinubu.
The suit, marked ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, was filed by 12 litigants led by Comrade Ibiso Harry. They are seeking an order to nullify the suspension of democratic structures in Rivers State, arguing that such actions undermine democratic governance.
The applicants are also contesting President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the appointment of a Sole Administrator on March 18, 2025, to oversee the state’s affairs for six months. They have asked the ECOWAS Court to set aside all decisions, policies, and directives issued by the Sole Administrator.
Citing Articles III and IV of the supplementary protocol amending ECOWAS Court’s protocol, Article II of the Court’s Protocol, and Article 33 of its Rules, the litigants contend that President Tinubu, an elected official, lacks the constitutional authority to remove or suspend another elected official, including a state governor.
They further argue that the removal of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly constitutes a gross violation of their fundamental human rights.
“The Defendant has unlawfully taken away the democratic rights of the Applicants and that of the population of Rivers State, both individually and collectively,” the suit states.
The case is now before the ECOWAS Court of Justice, with the applicants seeking a restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.
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