…Rights Group tells court only Rivers Gov can appoint RSIEC officials
…Seeks nullification of Senate’s approval of Tinubu’s nominees

An Abuja-based civil rights organisation, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, has taken legal action against President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the National Assembly over the alleged unlawful appointment of members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/1196/2025, is challenging what the group describes as an unconstitutional overreach by federal authorities into state affairs. The application was filed by the group’s legal counsel, Mr Kalu Kalu Agu.

At the heart of the suit is the claim that the 1999 Constitution exclusively empowers the Governor of Rivers State to appoint the RSIEC chairman and members. The group contends that President Tinubu, the AGF, and the National Assembly exceeded their constitutional mandates by participating in the appointment process.

In the originating summons, the Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy is asking the court to determine whether, under Sections 11(4), 197, 198, 199, and 201 of the Constitution, the President possesses any legal authority to appoint officials of a state electoral commission.

The group is seeking a declaration that the nominations made by President Tinubu and subsequently approved by the Senate are unconstitutional and must be voided. Additionally, it is requesting that the court nullify the list of RSIEC nominees sent by the President to the Senate and declare that the National Assembly lacks the authority to confirm such nominees.

The suit also seeks a perpetual injunction restraining the President, the AGF, and the National Assembly from further involvement in any appointment process related to RSIEC.

According to a 30-paragraph affidavit deposed by Emmanuella Alisi, the group claims that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on 18 March 2025, which allegedly led to the removal of the sitting governor.

The group alleges that, based on legal advice from the AGF, President Tinubu proceeded to forward names of RSIEC nominees to the Senate for confirmation, bypassing the existing state authority.

It further stated that letters were sent to both the AGF and the Senate President, calling for the immediate suspension of the confirmation process. The group argues that the Governor of Rivers State had already constituted a functioning RSIEC whose tenure is still valid and intact.

According to the suit, the current RSIEC officials have neither resigned nor been lawfully dismissed. The group argues that any attempt to remove them or override their appointment without constitutional justification constitutes a breach of due process and executive overreach.

It added that the President, the AGF, and the National Assembly all took oaths to uphold the Nigerian Constitution and must be held accountable for any action that undermines it.

Other defendants joined in the suit include the Governor of Rivers State, the RSIEC itself, and Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the current chairman of the commission. The court is expected to schedule a date for the hearing in the coming weeks.