Dagogo Takes Aim at Tinubu Over Rivers Official Ban, Calls It an ‘Assault on Democracy’
Former lawmaker and Rivers State governor candidate Dr. Farah Dagogo has called President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to suspend the state’s elected authorities a “democratic travesty” and a flagrant violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
At a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, Dagogo, through his attorney, denounced the President’s March 18, 2025 action, which involved declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State and suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all 32 members of the State House of Assembly. He maintained that the act was illegal and unconstitutional.
For a first six months, the state’s elected leadership was essentially overthrown by the contentious suspension, which was eventually upheld by the Senate and House of Representatives. Legal professionals and civil society organizations have criticized President Tinubu’s appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Rivers State Administrator in their stead.
Only Prof. Kanyinsola Ajayi, SAN, and Abduljabar Aliyu, respectively, represented the first and fifth respondents at Wednesday’s court session.
Continuing a pattern of absence in the lawsuit, the third and fourth respondents—the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Nigerian Senate—failed to show up in court once more.
The case’s presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, responded to rumors on social media that the judiciary had been infiltrated.
He gave the public his word that the court will continue to make decisions only on the basis of the law and the constitution.
In order to guarantee that the absent respondents show up for the upcoming court date, he also directed that new hearing notifications be given to them.
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The matter has been postponed until October 7, 2025, because the court has begun its yearly vacation.
Barrister Babafemi Adegbite, a member of Dagogo’s legal team, told reporters following the session that they were determined to seek justice through the judicial system and emphasized the constitutional importance of the issue.
Adegbite said, “Under circumstances we intend to address at the proper time, this case was initially filed in Port Harcourt but later moved to Abuja.”
“The fundamental constitutional breach at the center of this lawsuit continues to be our primary concern. We are dedicated to obtaining a ruling that supports democratic principles and the rule of law.
“By suspending an elected government and appointing an unelected administrator, the President went beyond his constitutional authority,” Adegbite said. The democratic foundation was weakened since the National Assembly, which ought to have served as a safeguard, supported the move. We are committed to seeing this through, not only for our client but also for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy going forward.
