Rivers State Appeals Federal High Court Judgment Halting Monthly Allocations Amid Tensions
The Rivers State Government has filed an appeal against a Federal High Court decision barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing federal allocations to the state. This comes in the wake of ongoing political and judicial friction surrounding the authority of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has faced challenges from the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, reportedly loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Joseph Johnson, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, expressed optimism that the Court of Appeal would overturn the initial judgment, stating that the state anticipated this ruling and is confident in its appeal. “The judgment has been appealed, and I believe the Court of Appeal will reverse it. There is no need for alarm,” Johnson said.
Judicial Order on Budgetary Compliance
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in her ruling, highlighted that Fubara’s budget, which was presented before a reduced four-member House of Assembly, defied constitutional requirements. She pointed to the governor’s actions in operating on an unapproved budget, asserting they contravened sections of the 1999 Constitution. Consequently, the court barred the CBN, alongside Zenith Bank and Access Bank, from releasing funds to Rivers State until a legitimate House of Assembly reviews the budget.
According to court documents, the Amaewhule-led assembly and its supporters argue that Fubara’s decision to bypass a fully constituted assembly undermines constitutional governance in Rivers. They contend that the court’s ruling reinforces democratic order and respect for the rule of law.
Supporters and Critics React
Following the judgment, members of the Amaewhule-led assembly and Wike loyalists within the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) celebrated, deeming the court’s decision as upholding the rule of law. APC spokesperson Chibuike Ikenga remarked, “This judgment validates the importance of a properly constituted legislative body and reinforces the need for legal compliance.”
However, the Rivers State Government has warned of potential financial impacts if the appeal fails, with local government employees, teachers, and civil service workers likely facing pay delays. “If upheld, this judgment will severely affect third-tier government workers,” Johnson warned.
National and Political Backlash
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the court ruling, attributing it to broader issues within Nigeria’s judiciary. Through his media adviser, Atiku criticized the “politically motivated” judgment and urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize national stability over political rivalry. He also urged the judiciary to restore public confidence by avoiding politically charged rulings that could destabilize local governance.
Meanwhile, several lawmakers in Abuja expressed discontent, labeling the judgment as judicial overreach. Representative Ikenga Ugochinyere stated, “This judgment disregards pending appeals on the status of lawmakers who defected to the APC. It undermines both democracy and the constitution.”
Civil Society Weighs In
Civil society organizations have voiced mixed reactions to the court order. Debo Adeniran, Chair of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, supported the judgment, calling Fubara’s budget actions a “democratic aberration.” Conversely, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, warned that involving financial institutions in political matters could jeopardize Nigeria’s financial and democratic stability.
With the appeal pending, the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders await a resolution that could have significant implications for governance, political alliances, and judicial processes in Nigeria.
