Nigerians trash Supreme Court over silence in suit challenging Fubara’s suspension 162 days after it was filed
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Nigerians have berated the Supreme Court over its silence in a case filed by governors of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the suspension of Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
On April 9, governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) approached the Supreme Court challenging President Bola Tinubu’s powers to suspend democratically elected officials of Rivers State, including the governor, deputy governor and lawmakers.
Tinubu announced the suspension of the elected officials on March 18, 2025, and appointed a sole administrator, Ibot-Ete Ibas.
The presidential action followed the lingering power tussle between Fubara and his erstwhile godfather, Nyesom Wike, who is the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister and a strong ally of the president.
On September 17, Tinubu revoked the suspension of Fubara, paving the way for his resumption the following day.
But while the PDP case was filed at the Supreme Court, no action was taken on it by the apex court. This has drawn anger from Nigerians who expressed their disgust on social media.
A former political adviser to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Umar Sani, says the silence of the Supreme Court was deliberate.
Hear him: “In 162 days, the highest court in Nigeria failed to determine the case brought by eleven PDP governors against the Federal Government. The matter was straightforward yet historic: a challenge to the removal of Governor Fubara and the appointment of a sole administrator in Rivers State. The file has remained on a dusty shelf, untouched. This silence is not accidental. It is deliberate. And it is tragic.”
Former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, adds: “Suit No SC/CV/162/2023 on currency change was decided 3 Mar 2023 by @SupremeCourtNg. It took 30 days
“Suit No SC/CV/343/2024, the LG Autonomy case, decided 11 July 2024, took 45 days to judgment
“Suit No SC/CV/329/2025 on Rivers State Emergency has not bn heard after 6 months+”
On X, @firstladyship posts: “In 6 months: The Supreme Court failed to determine the case brought before it by PDP governors against the FG. The Apex court failed to determine whether the president had the right to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers state.They simply left the file in dusty archives. ?”
@I_Am-Ilemona says: “The Supreme Court of Nigeria fell off!!! 11 Governors filed a suit on 09/04/2025 to challenge the purported suspension of a governor. The Supreme Court failed/refused/neglected to hear the suit for 162 days!!!”
@RealQueenBee_ adds: “THE JOKE IS ON THEIR SUPREME COURT. Suspending and Returning a democratically elected Governor is a bad precedent. It’ll be replayed by other actors in due time. The clock is ticking already, and it’s a matter of time.The Nigeriana Supreme Court must forever remain silent!”
@Chuksoul says: “I was mad when PMB went after judges, cos I thought he was trying to intimidate them. But the role of SC judges & their silence on the PDP governors’ suit has vindicated the man. May the soul of @MBuhari Rest In Peace ?”
