- Identifies APC governors in North West, South East as detractors’ targets
- Urges President to stay focused, Nigerians to remain vigilant, united
- PDP governors challenge Fubara’s suspension at Supreme Court
The Forum of Nigerian Professionals in Politics has raised fresh concerns over a well-orchestrated plot by some political actors to destabilize President Bola Tinubu’s administration by targeting his trusted allies with falsehoods and misinformation.
In a statement on Wednesday, the FNPP, a coalition of professionals and business leaders from across Nigeria, disclosed that it has uncovered credible intelligence pointing to a coordinated effort by self-serving politicians working through a coalition aimed at creating discord among top government officials.
The statement signed by the National Coordinator of the Forum, Chief Okey Ezenwa, emphasized that this is not the first time such attempts have been made to derail the administration’s progress.
“Nigerians may recall that on February 4, 2024, the FNPP publicly exposed a plot to undermine the president by attacking his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Thanks to the timely intervention of the FNPP, the attempted destabilization was neutralized, allowing the presidency to stay on course and continue delivering on its agenda of economic reform, security, and national development,” he said.
According to FNPP, the latest plot follows a similar pattern, saying “The goal is to infiltrate the presidency with planted agents, spread false narratives, and erode the trust between President Tinubu and key allies—especially in regions critical to national cohesion and electoral stability
“Their main targets are the key APC governors, especially in the North West and South East of the country. These agents of the Coalition believe that the opposition Coalition cannot penetrate and upstage President Tinubu in these zones unless Governors Sani and Uzodimma are separated from the President, knowing their influence in consolidating support for the Tinubu Presidency in these critical zones.
“The Kaduna and Imo State governors have been the targets of these elements in their bid to destabilize their strongholds and render them ineffective in galvanizing support for President Tinubu’s drive to enthrone structured and enduring legacies that will propel sustainable growth for our dear nation.
“The current peace devoid of religious intolerance in Kaduna State, unlike in the recent past, must be encouraged, just as the concerted efforts being made by the Imo State governor in creating and attracting the critical mass of South East support that is fast building up for the current administration must be acknowledged and sustained.”
Reaffirming their commitment to national stability, FNPP urged President Tinubu to stay focused and not be swayed by fabricated narratives aimed at undermining trust within his administration. The Forum also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and united in resisting divisive tactics.
“Our country is at a crossroads,” Ezenwa concluded. “This is a time for unity—not political sabotage. Nigeria’s future can not be compromised by those who seek power at any cost.”
PDP governors challenge Fubara’s suspension at Supreme Court
Meanwhile, seven Governors of the People’s Democratic Party have instituted a suit before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, challenging the six months suspension of the Rivers State governor, Siminalaye Fubara.
The governors of Bauchi, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Plateau, and Zamfara, are questioning what powers the President has to carry out such action (suspension).
Those mentioned as respondents in the suit are President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly.
The seven state governors, who termed the suspension as unconstitutional, through their Attorneys Generals, urged the Supreme Court to declare that “the President has no powers whatsoever or authority to suspend a democratically elected governor and deputy governor of a state in the Federation of Nigeria under the guise of or pursuant to the proclamation of a state of emergency in any state of the federation, including the states represented by the plaintiffs.” based on the provisions of sections 1(2), 5(2), and 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The governors also urged the apex court to declare that the president has no powers to suspend a democratically elected House of Assembly of a state pursuant to Sections 192 (4) (6) and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The appellants (seven state governors) sought a declaration that “the suspension of Governor Siminalaye Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly was unconstitutional, unlawful, and in gross violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)”.
The governors argue that President Tinubu lacks the statutory powers to suspend a serving governor and appoint a Sole Administrator in his stead.
The governors urged the Supreme Court to nullify the appointment of the Sole Administrator appointed to govern the affairs of Rivers State.
They challenged the constitutionality of the voice votes used by the National Assembly to ratify President Tinubu’s actions.
They argued that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by the defendants did not comply with the constitutional requirements set out in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Furthermore, the litigants contended that the proclamation by President Tinubu failed to meet the stipulated conditions and procedures for such a declaration, stating that it was made for reasons beyond those specified in the Constitution.
They also argue that the National Assembly’s approval of the state of emergency via a voice vote was invalid, stressing that the Constitution mandates a two-thirds majority vote of members of each legislative chamber.
They prayed the Supreme Court for the following reliefs, “An order nullifying the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State made by the first defendant and wrongfully approved by the second defendant.
“An order restraining the defendant, by himself, his servants, agents, and privies, from implementing the unlawful suspension of the governor and deputy governor of Rivers State.
“An order restraining the defendant, by himself, his servants, agents, and privies, from interfering in any manner whatsoever with the execution by the governor and deputy governor of Rivers State of their constitutional and statutory duties, as well as their electoral mandate.
“An order restraining the defendant from attempting the suspension of any other governor of any state in Nigeria, particularly the plaintiffs, or from interfering with or undermining their constitutional and statutory duties”.
Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu and the Rivers House of Assembly members were suspended for six months by President Tinubu after he declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18 and appointed a sole administrator to carry out the duties of the governor in the state for the duration of the suspension.
However, the legislature supported the president’s decision to implement the suspension.