The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has fixed October 13, 2025, to hear a suit filed by the Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration (FREECON) against President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Rivers State Sole Administrator, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), and its Chairman.

 

FREECON approached the court seeking a judicial interpretation of Sections 197 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on whether the President can, under any circumstance, create or appoint a Sole Administrator or any other authority to usurp the governor’s constitutional role in appointing the RSIEC chairman and members.

 

The group also asked the court to determine whether the current Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has the constitutional authority to appoint the RSIEC leadership mandated to conduct elections across the state’s 23 local government areas.

 

When the matter was called on Wednesday, counsel for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) applied to be joined as a party in the suit. The application was not opposed by the claimants, and presiding judge, Justice Turaki Mohammed, granted the request.

 

Defence counsels, however, raised a preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit. Claimants’ counsel, Amegua Lezina, confirmed receipt of the objection and served their response on points of law.

 

After listening to submissions, Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter to October 13, 2025, effectively removing it from the court’s vacation schedule.

 

The case is expected to set a significant precedent on the constitutional limits of presidential powers and the legitimacy of Sole Administrators in Nigeria’s democratic process.