The Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by 11 Peoples Democratic Party-controlled states challenging the legality of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
In a split decision on Monday, six justices ruled against the plaintiffs while one dissented, striking out the case on the grounds that the states failed to establish sufficient cause of action to warrant the exercise of the apex court’s original jurisdiction.
Justice Mohammed Idris, delivering the lead majority judgment, stated that the plaintiff states did not demonstrate the existence of an actionable dispute between them and the federal government that would justify the court’s intervention under its original jurisdiction.
The suit was brought by Adamawa State and 10 other PDP-governed states seeking to challenge President Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, which resulted in the suspension of elected state officials for a six-month period.
The emergency declaration had sparked controversy and legal challenges from opposition-controlled states, who questioned the constitutional basis and propriety of the federal government’s actions in Rivers State.
With the Supreme Court’s decision to strike out the case, the emergency measures imposed by the federal government in Rivers State remain in effect, and the suspended state officials will continue to be barred from their positions for the duration of the six-month period.
Further details on the court’s full reasoning and the dissenting opinion are expected to be made available as the complete judgment is released.
