Fubara: Dont set Rivers on fire – Atiku, others warns as court halts monthly allocation

In a recent ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, issued an order preventing the Federal Government from releasing monthly allocations to Rivers State.

The court also restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from permitting withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Account by the state.

The decision followed a suit filed by the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which argued that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had disregarded a previous court order requiring him to resubmit the 2024 Appropriation Bill to their faction for approval. The plaintiffs contended that unauthorized withdrawals from state funds violated constitutional provisions, and they sought to halt allocations to Rivers State until compliance was achieved.

In response, Rivers State officials voiced concern, alleging the ruling was part of a coordinated attempt to destabilize the state. Joe Johnson, Rivers’ Commissioner for Information, described the court’s refusal to permit local council representation in the suit as biased and maintained confidence in a favorable outcome on appeal.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the ruling, cautioning the judiciary against actions that could ignite tensions in Rivers. He criticized what he perceived as political motives behind the court’s involvement, highlighting concerns about judicial impartiality. Atiku also referenced warnings from legal figures, such as Femi Falana, who alleged potential judicial compromises.

Further reactions came from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke denounced the decision as unjust and cautioned against aggravating the region’s long-standing grievances. “Attempting to stifle the people’s source of livelihood could incite unrest,” Nsuke warned, emphasizing Rivers’ importance to Nigeria’s economic stability.

In Rivers State, Governor Fubara expressed resilience, acknowledging the public’s support and affirming his administration’s commitment to transparency. Speaking at a state Thanksgiving event, he said, “It was an assassination attempt against Rivers. They wanted to derail governance, but the people stood with us, and we are here, stronger than ever.”

The case has attracted significant national attention, with civil society figures, like Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe of the South-South Elders Forum, viewing it as a potential threat to Nigeria’s democratic process. As the matter heads to appeal, the evolving situation continues to fuel debate over judicial integrity and the potential consequences for governance in Rivers and beyond.