Court Asked to Remove Rivers Sole Administrator, Declares Appointment Unconstitutional

A legal challenge has been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the removal of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The suit, lodged on Tuesday by Abuja-based lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, contends that the appointment of a sole administrator for the state is unconstitutional.

The case lists President Bola Tinubu as the first defendant, alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibas, and the Attorneys-General of all 36 states, making a total of 39 defendants. The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/572/2025, seeks a court declaration that all decisions made by Ibas as Rivers State’s Sole Administrator are null and void.

The plaintiff is also asking the court for an order preventing President Tinubu or any of his agents from removing, suspending, or interfering with the tenure of any state governor or deputy governor. Additionally, the suit demands a perpetual injunction stopping the president from appointing sole administrators in any state government house across Nigeria.

Jideobi’s legal argument is based on constitutional provisions, including Sections 1, 5(2), 180, 188, 189, 305, and 306 of the 1999 Constitution. He asserts that these provisions do not grant the president the power to remove or suspend a duly elected governor and appoint a replacement, such as a sole administrator. He contends that only the legal processes outlined in the constitution, such as impeachment or resignation, can lead to the removal of a governor or deputy governor.

Among the declarations sought, the plaintiff asks the court to nullify the suspension of the Rivers State governor and deputy governor on March 18, 2025. He also wants the appointment of Ibas as sole administrator declared unconstitutional and for the retired admiral to vacate the Rivers State Government House immediately.

In a supporting affidavit, Jideobi argues that Nigeria operates a federal system based on separation of powers, and the president lacks the authority to suspend elected officials. He warns that allowing such actions could set a dangerous precedent, leading to the arbitrary removal of governors and potential instability in the country.

No date has been set for the hearing of the case.