Key Points

• BOOT Party has filed a lawsuit against President Tinubu over emergency rule in Rivers State.

• The lawsuit argues that the appointment of a Sole Administrator is unconstitutional.

• The plaintiffs are seeking N20 billion in damages for disruptions caused to the local government elections.

The Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) Party has taken legal action against President Bola Tinubu, arguing that his imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State is unconstitutional.

Filed at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the lawsuit seeks to restore democratic processes in the oil-rich state, which has been under emergency rule since March 18, 2025.

According to the plaintiffs, President Tinubu violated the Nigerian Constitution by suspending Rivers State’s democratically elected officials and appointing a “Sole Administrator.”

The BOOT Party insists that the Nigerian Constitution does not support such actions and is demanding the restoration of elected governance in Rivers State.

Lawsuit demands reversal of unconstitutional emergency rule

The BOOT Party has argued that the National Assembly’s approval of the state of emergency was flawed.

The approval was passed through a voice vote, not the two-thirds majority required by the constitution.

The party claims this procedural error invalidates the state of emergency declaration. They are asking the court to declare the emergency rule as null and void.

In addition to the reversal of the emergency rule, the plaintiffs are seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent the disbursement of funds to the Sole Administrator.

They argue that this position is unconstitutional and violates the rights of Rivers State residents to elect their leaders freely.

Compensation for disruptions to local elections

The plaintiffs are also requesting N20 billion in damages for the disruptions caused by the imposition of the state of emergency.

They claim that the emergency rule has interfered with the preparations for the local government elections scheduled for August 9, 2025.

The party believes the action taken by President Tinubu and the National Assembly has caused unnecessary tensions and losses, hindering the electoral process in Rivers State.

The BOOT Party’s legal action adds to the growing political tension in Rivers State, where other states, led by the opposition party PDP, have also challenged the federal government’s suspension of elected officials.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly regarding the power dynamics between state and federal governments.