Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, has described the Supreme Court’s judgement affirming President Bola Tinubu’s power to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State as a “win for our fledgling democracy.”
Gatekeepers News reports that on Monday, in a 6–1 split decision, the apex court upheld the president’s constitutional authority to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country to prevent a breakdown of law and order. The ruling also confirmed the president’s power to suspend elected officials within a specified timeframe, while dismissing the plaintiffs’ suit for lack of jurisdiction.
The minority judgment argued that while the president can declare a state of emergency, he cannot suspend elected representatives.
The case originated from a suit filed by Adamawa State in collaboration with 10 other PDP-led states, challenging the emergency rule declared by Tinubu in Rivers State in March 2025.
A Landmark Judgement
Reacting through his media aide Kamarudeen Ogundele, Fagbemi said the Supreme Court’s decision has “strengthened our jurisprudence and added another vital ingredient to consolidate our democracy.”
“I welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the power granted the President by the constitution to declare a state of emergency in any state in Nigeria, whenever the situation arises,” Fagbemi said.
“The landmark judgement has further strengthened our jurisprudence and added another vital ingredient to consolidate our democracy. I congratulate all parties in the matter as it is a win for our fledgling democracy and has helped to erase any doubt anyone might have had about the action of the President and the endorsement by the National Assembly.”
Fagbemi reassured Nigerians of the administration’s commitment to upholding democracy and the Rule of Law.
“Nigeria is for all of us, and I assure Nigerians of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to uphold the tenets of democracy and the Rule of Law at all times,” he added.
