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Nigerians are voicing their opinions on social media following the Abuja Federal High Court’s ruling to stop federal allocations to the Rivers State Government.
Earlier today, DAILY POST reported that the court directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cease releasing monthly financial allocations to Rivers State. The court deemed the receipt and distribution of these allocations by Governor Siminalayi Fubara since January as unconstitutional and unacceptable.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who issued the ruling, stated that Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member House of Assembly was a violation of constitutional provisions. The judge criticized Fubara’s actions as a gross infringement of the 1999 Constitution, which he vowed to uphold.
As a result, the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank have been prohibited from allowing Fubara access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
Social media reactions included:
- @Ihima_Principal: “The Judiciary has been co-opted to serve Abuja politicians’ interests. Rivers people deserve their allocations.”
- @Ibirogba2000: “Good. The court has ruled that the House of Assembly should be acknowledged. The governor must comply with the order or appeal it. Wike should encourage his supporters to cooperate with the governor for peace in Rivers.”
- @TheamazingJosh: “In a more reasonable society, Wike would have been removed and imprisoned… but this is Nigeria.”
- @Oladapomikky1: “Fubara should revoke all oil company licenses in Rivers State.”
- @Divilo2: “For those shouting Wike, is it fair to run a whole state with just three representatives? Other constituencies deserve representation too. Wike will always fight back legally; it’s different from Edo, where Obaseki faced no challenges.”
- @Nwa_Anambra: “If this judgment is enforced, Fubara might become a hero as he’ll have to govern solely through internal revenue. Questions about Wike’s management of FAAC funds will arise.”
- @marythesa: “Wike wants to create chaos in Rivers State!”
- @Ayodeledad: “Wike seems to have the judges in Abuja under his control.”
- @sheiduumar: “Wike is becoming increasingly self-serving. This is definitely harmful to his constituents.”
- @kingkhone4real: “What’s going on? Wike seems intent on creating turmoil in Rivers under Tinubu’s administration.”
- @Buchyogba: “They’re undermining democracy.”
- @djokemegamixer: “This judgment isn’t surprising; as long as Wike remains influential in the judiciary at both state and federal levels, any ruling affecting governance in Rivers will be suspect. Unfortunately, the people of Rivers State are the primary victims of this political maneuvering.”
- @Dat_Igbo_ghuy: “The abuse of courts and their processes has eroded public trust; it’s truly unfortunate.”
DAILY POST recalls that the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to contest a lower court’s ruling that upheld the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly. A panel of three justices, led by Justice Oyewole, unanimously affirmed the January 22 ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which nullified the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four members of the Assembly.
Justice Oyewole stated that Fubara’s appeal lacked merit, emphasizing that since he withdrew his counter affidavits and other submissions at the lower court, he could not later appeal a matter that had already been concluded.
Earlier, on January 22, Justice Omotosho had nullified the N800 billion budget passed by a faction of the House led by Edison Ehie, ordering Governor Fubara to resubmit the budget to the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.
