Just In-SERAP Drags Tinubu to Court Over Rivers Emergency Rule
Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, a human rights body has dragged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to court challenging the suspension of democratic structures in Rivers State.
They are praying the court to invalidate the action.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeks to quash the declaration of a state of emergency by Mr. President over Rivers State where he sacked elected officials for six months.
According to SERAP, the suspension violates constitutional provisions of the country, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.
They contend that the President’s action was unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void and is asking for an order to set aside the suspension and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, in the suit argued that “the rule of law would be a mere figure of speech if the people’s right to participation can be arbitrarily suspended or violated.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, and opposition leaders have all condemned the move, with some calling it a “power grab” by the president.
