Farah Dagogo, a former member of the House of Representatives, made this known at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
A former lawmaker, Farah Dagogo has told a court in Abuja that President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State is undemocratic.
According to him, such an act is a “rape of democracy.”
Dagogo made this known at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
Dagogo stated that the president violated Nigeria’s Constitution by suspending the elected officials in Rivers State for six months. He conveyed this position through his legal counsel during proceedings at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The political crisis between Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, culminated in the declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025. In response, President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, appointing a sole administrator in their place.
Challenging the president’s action, Dagogo initiated legal proceedings. One of his legal representatives, Barrister Babafemi Adegbite, described the suspension as unconstitutional and unlawful.
During Wednesday’s sitting, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the court would adjudicate the matter on its merits. The judge also ordered the re-issuance of hearing notices to the absent third and fourth respondents to ensure proper representation at the next sitting. The matter was adjourned to October 7, 2025.
Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Adegbite criticised the National Assembly for endorsing Tinubu’s action. He said the Assembly had joined the president in undermining democratic governance in the state.
He added: “Our contention is that the President acted ultra vires the Constitution by suspending a democratically elected government and appointing an unelected Administrator.”