By Christopher Sunday
In a bold move to defend democratic governance and constitutional order, eleven governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the legality of any presidential attempt to suspend the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
This unprecedented legal step follows rising political tension in Rivers State, where Governor Fubara has faced a series of confrontations believed to be instigated by forces loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The crisis has raised serious questions about federal interference in state affairs and the limits of executive authority in a constitutional democracy.
The PDP governors are asking the Supreme Court to interpret the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly concerning the autonomy of state governments and the extent of the President’s powers in relation to elected state officials. At the heart of the suit is a clear demand: to affirm whether the President has any constitutional right to suspend or remove a governor without following due process.
According to sources familiar with the filing, the governors believe this legal challenge is necessary to safeguard Nigeria’s federal structure and prevent an erosion of democratic principles. They argue that allowing such presidential interference would set a dangerous precedent capable of destabilizing the country’s democratic institutions.
Governor Fubara, who has maintained a calm yet resilient stance throughout the crisis, has continued to receive widespread support from PDP leaders and civil society organizations who view the actions against him as politically motivated and constitutionally questionable.
As the matter heads to the apex court, Nigerians are watching closely. The outcome of this case could redefine the boundaries of executive power and reinforce the independence of the subnational governments in Nigeria’s federal system.
