.As hearing in suit challenging emergency rule suffers setback
IGNATIUS OKOROCHA, Abuja , EMMANUEL NLEWEDUM, PH
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the Senate to consider and approve an estimated sum of N1.481 trillion for 2025 Fiscal year.
The breakdown of the budget shows that the sum of N324 billion is for infrastructure, both ongoing and new projects, while the sum of N166 billion is for the health sector, including N5 billion for free drugs for the treatment of malaria and other common ailments.
Further breakdown of the budget shows that the sum of N75.6 billion is proposed for the educational sector and the sum of N31.4 billion is proposed for agricultural purposes.
Recall that Rivers State is currently under emergency rule, which was proclaimed and duly gazetted in March 2025 by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
In a letter he addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and read to lawmakers at plenary on Thursday, Tinubu explained that Regulation 4 sub section 2f of the emergency rule 2025 requires authorization for expenditure from the consolidated revenue fund of Rivers state for its activities in the absence of the state assembly, it’s expected that the National Assembly acts on that behalf hence the request for the approval of the Senate for the Rivers State Government 2025 appropriation bill.
He emphasized that the” spending plan prioritizes investment in critical sectors of the state, such as infrastructure, health, including drugs for malaria and other common ailments, education, and also agriculture, which is projected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs.
“Accordingly, I hereby forward the Rivers State Government 2025 Appropriation Bill and trust that it will receive the expeditious and auspicious consideration of the Senate.
In responding to the President’s request, Senator Akpabio referred the letter to Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State to carry out necessary legislative consideration of the Appropriation Bill.
Furthermore, a civil suit challenging the state of emergency declaration at a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday suffered a setback after it was transferred to Abuja Division.
The suit marked FHC/PH/53/2025, filed by a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Samuel Amatonjie, against President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian Senate, House of Representatives, and the Sole Administrator of Rivers State as respondents, was initially scheduled for hearing on Thursday in Port Harcourt before the unfortunate development.
Plaintiff in the suit told our correspondent that an official of the court confirmed the transfer of the suit to him upon his arrival at Justice Adamu Mohammed Turaki’s court, where the matter was billed to be heard.
Speaking with journalists outside the courtroom, Amatonjie expressed surprise at the development, stating that he was informed of the transfer upon arrival at the court premises, adding that not just his, but all matters challenging the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers were equally transferred to Abuja.
He disclosed that the transfer of the matter was hinged on Order 49 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
He said, “I was told that the case has been moved to the Abuja Division in line with Order 49. While I acknowledge the court’s discretion, I have mixed feelings about the transfer, especially since the matter directly affects Rivers State.
“My worry is that matters of this nature are of public interest and need to be given expeditious hearing. Having transferred it to FCT, the Chief Judge of the Federation should be swift in assigning the case to a judge for expedited hearing.”
He called on the relevant authorities to assign the case to a judge who would ensure expeditious hearing, given the urgent nature of the issue, reaffirming his commitment to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
Amatonjie explained that he instituted the suit to challenge the legality and constitutionality of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Tinubu, which was subsequently approved by the National Assembly.
“The declaration of emergency in a democratic setting must follow due process and be based on verifiable security threats. I am challenging this action because it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines constitutional governance,” he stated.
The legal battle comes amid the political crisis in Rivers State, and the outcome of the case could set a significant legal precedent.
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