National Assembly

The National Assembly has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by 11 PDP governors challenging the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. It described the suit as speculative and is seeking ₦1 billion in damages.

The governors representing states including Adamawa, Oyo, and Bayelsa, are contesting President Bola Tinubu’s March 18 emergency proclamation, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly. A sole administrator was appointed to oversee the state for six months following the National Assembly’s voice vote approval.

In suit SC/CV/329/2025, the governors argue the President lacks authority to suspend elected officials and challenge the use of a voice vote instead of a two-thirds majority as required by the Constitution.

In a preliminary objection dated April 22, the National Assembly said the governors failed to serve the required pre-action notice and lacked backing from their State Houses of Assembly. It also maintained that the suit has no valid basis, as the legislature played no direct role in the alleged violations.

Legal officer Godswill Onyegbu, in an affidavit, called the case an abuse of court process and urged the court to strike it out.

A hearing date is yet to be set, but the case could significantly impact federal-state power dynamics in Nigeria.