The political and legal tension in Rivers State has taken another dramatic turn. Renowned human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has come out swinging, strongly condemning the decision by Vice Admiral retired Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas — the Sole Administrator of Rivers State — to summon suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a post that quickly went viral on X, Effiong described the summons as constitutionally baseless and urged Fubara to ignore it entirely.
What Did Inibehe Effiong Say?
Effiong did not mince his words. Taking to his X handle, the lawyer made his position absolutely clear — the summons issued to Governor Fubara is not only legally weak but an affront to Nigeria's constitutional framework.
He wrote:
"If Fubara dignifies this silly and ridiculous summons, it means he is not a serious person."
He went further, questioning the very legitimacy of Ibas's authority to issue such a directive in the first place:
"An unconstitutional impostor is summoning a governor who is protected by constitutional immunity?"
And in his most pointed statement, Effiong directed his frustration squarely at the broader political environment enabling such actions:
"This madness can only happen in Tinubu's Nigeria. Such insolence!"
The Constitutional Argument — Why Effiong Says the Summons Is Invalid
At the heart of Effiong's outrage is a straightforward constitutional argument. As a sitting governor, Siminalayi Fubara enjoys constitutional immunity — a protection that shields him from being summoned, prosecuted, or compelled to appear before any authority while in office.
Effiong's position is that regardless of the political circumstances surrounding Fubara's suspension, that constitutional immunity does not simply disappear. A sole administrator — appointed rather than elected — does not possess the legal authority to override that protection, and any attempt to do so is not just inappropriate but unconstitutional.
By referring to Ibas as an "unconstitutional impostor," Effiong is making a very deliberate legal point — that Ibas's appointment and the powers being exercised under it lack the constitutional foundation required to make such demands of a governor.
What Led to the Summons — Background of the Controversy
To understand why this moment has sparked such fierce legal debate, it is important to understand the events that led to it. Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, made the summons public through a special announcement on behalf of Ibas.
The notice called on both Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Ordu to appear before Ibas at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The stated reason for the summons was to address appointments made during the Fubara-led administration over the past two years — appointments that the sole administrator apparently wishes to review or reverse.
For Effiong and many other legal observers, the very premise of the summons raises serious red flags about the limits of administrative authority and the extent to which an unelected official can challenge or override the decisions of a democratically elected governor.
The Legal Community Is Divided
Not everyone in Nigeria's legal community shares Effiong's view. While he has been vocal and unambiguous in his condemnation, some legal analysts have argued that Ibas's position as Sole Administrator does carry a degree of administrative authority that cannot be entirely dismissed.
Those Who Support Effiong's Position
Lawyers and constitutional scholars who align with Effiong's view argue that allowing a sole administrator to summon a sitting governor — even a suspended one — sets an extremely dangerous precedent for Nigerian democracy. If such actions go unchallenged, they warn, it could open the door to further erosion of the constitutional protections that underpin the country's democratic structures.
Those Who Disagree
On the other side, some argue that the extraordinary circumstances in Rivers State — including Fubara's suspension — create a legal grey area that cannot simply be resolved by citing constitutional immunity. They suggest that the situation requires a more nuanced interpretation of both administrative and constitutional law.
What is clear is that this debate is far from settled — and it is likely to play out in courtrooms as much as on social media in the weeks ahead.
What This Means for Rivers State
The summons and the fierce legal backlash it has triggered are the latest chapter in what has become one of the most dramatic political crises in recent Nigerian history. Rivers State has been at the centre of a power struggle that has tested the limits of Nigeria's constitutional framework and exposed deep fault lines within the country's political establishment.
For ordinary Rivers State residents, the ongoing crisis raises deeply uncomfortable questions about governance, accountability, and who is truly in charge of their state. Every new development — whether a summons, a legal challenge, or a fiery social media post — adds another layer of complexity to a situation that shows no signs of resolution anytime soon.
Whether Fubara heeds Effiong's advice and ignores the summons, or chooses to engage with the process, his next move will be watched closely by legal experts, political observers, and the Nigerian public alike.
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