Legal Battle Brews: Ijaw Youth Council Takes On FG Over Rivers State Governor's Suspension

Young Leaders Challenge Federal Government’s Decision

Anderson here. Let me break this down for you. The leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council, representing the Eastern Zone, have taken a bold step by filing a lawsuit against the Federal Government. This legal move was made before the ECOWAS Court of Justice, challenging the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other key elected officials by President Bola Tinubu. They argue that this suspension is not just a political move but an outright violation of democratic principles.

At the forefront of this movement is Ibiso Harry, who is leading the charge against what they perceive as an overreach of executive power. The youth leaders are not just questioning the suspension—they're also challenging President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This case could set a precedent for how the Nigerian government handles regional governance and respect for elected leadership.

ECOWAS Court Case: What’s at Stake?

In the suit, which has been given the case number ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, the Applicants are asking the regional court to overturn the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State. They believe that the suspension is not only unjust but also unconstitutional. Their request is clear: reinstate the democratic structures that were dismantled after the state of emergency was declared.

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They are also seeking the court’s intervention to invalidate all actions, decisions, policies, and directives issued by the Sole Administrator appointed by President Tinubu on March 18. This administrator was tasked with overseeing the affairs of Rivers State for six months, but the youth leaders argue that this appointment undermines the will of the people and the essence of democracy itself.

Violation of Rights: The Heart of the Matter

The Ijaw youth leaders argue that the removal of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is a direct violation of their fundamental human rights. They believe that President Tinubu’s actions have stripped them of their democratic rights, both individually and collectively as a people.

Here’s how they put it in their court documents: “By so doing, the Defendant has unlawfully taken away the democratic rights of the Applicants and that of the population of Rivers State both individually and collectively.” This is a powerful statement that reflects the deep concern over the state of democracy in Nigeria.

They further argue that President Tinubu’s actions have plunged Rivers State into a form of governance that is both unconstitutional and undemocratic. This leaves the people of the state politically powerless and deprived of leaders they duly elected. It’s a situation that, according to the youth leaders, undermines the very essence of constitutional governance.

A Threat to Democratic Principles

The Applicants stress that President Tinubu’s actions are not just a local issue but a national concern. By disrupting the democratic order in Rivers State, they argue, the president is challenging the democratic practice and constitutional authenticity of Nigeria as a whole. This is a bold statement that places the case in a broader context of national governance.

As they state in their legal documents: “The implication therefore is that the applicants and the people of Rivers State have lost their existence and dignity as human beings, having been politically emasculated by the loss of the values that accompany democratic governance and deprived of leaders duly elected by them in the democratic space.” This highlights the deep sense of betrayal felt by the people of Rivers State.

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They also describe the president’s actions as an “absoluteness in determining the existence and functioning of democratic systems in national sub-units.” This, they argue, is a direct attack on the democratic systems and constitutional order that Nigeria has worked so hard to establish.

A Dangerous Precedent

The Ijaw youth leaders emphasize that a state of emergency should not be used as a guise for undermining the executive powers of the Governor or usurping the legislative authority of the state. They warn that such actions create a dangerous precedent for the erosion of democratic values and threaten the very idea of freedom and constitutional democracy.

As they argue in their legal documents: “A state of emergency cannot be a guise or subterfuge for the usurpation of the executive functions of the Governor or the exercise of the law-making powers of the legislature.” This is a clear call for the respect of constitutional boundaries and the rule of law.

Next Steps: Waiting for Justice

The legal team representing the Applicants, led by the esteemed Chief Festus Ogwuche, has filed the necessary affidavit to support their case. As of now, no date has been set for the hearing of the case. The eyes of the nation—and perhaps the region—are on this case, as it could set a significant precedent for how democratic principles are upheld in Nigeria.

For the people of Rivers State, this is more than just a legal battle. It’s a fight for their voices to be heard and their rights to be respected. The outcome of this case could shape the future of governance in Nigeria and beyond.