Disenchanted with the manner President Bola Tinubu and his lieutenants are conducting national affairs especially the handling of the political crisis in Rivers state, Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has asserted that no sensible President will watch anyone set the oil- rich state on fire, considering its sensitive status in Nigeria’s geopolitics.
Eze made the assertion in a statement in reaction to the recent judgement delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja, restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN from further releasing monthly financial allocations to Rivers State government.
The statement read in parts, “The Recent judicial pronouncements emanating from the Federal High Court Abuja, in respect of suits bordering on Rivers State are suggestive of the fact that the Judiciary is under systemic siege. One of such cash and carry judgments was the latest delivered on Wednesday 30 October, 2024, by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja. Today is nothing but BLACK WEDNESDAY and enthronement of plot to cause unprecedented and unmitigated chaos in Rivers State but surely that is an exercise in futility
“The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024, was filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and it’s factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule. By the suit, the plaintiffs had asked the court to order the withholding of allocations and funds meant for local governments in Rivers state.
“Delivering judgment on the suit, Justice Abdulmalik restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN from further releasing monthly financial allocations to Rivers State government just as she held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by Governor Siminalayi Fubara is a constitutional sommersault and an aberration that must not be allowed to continue.
“In addition, Justice Abdulmalik held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Governor Fubara before a 4-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provisions.
“Specifically, the Judge said that Fubara’s action in implementing unlawful budget smack of gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.
“Defendants in the suit are; the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Governor of Rivers State (Siminalayi Fubara), the Accountant General of Rivers State, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Justice S. C Amadi (Chief Judge of Rivers State), Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Chairman RSIEC), and the Rivers State Government.
“Consequently, the judge therefore restrained CBN, Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
“Justice Abdulmalik held that the CBN was under obligation to ensure that the right thing was done before money from consolidated revenue and Federation Account are released to the beneficiaries.
“Justice Abdulmalik held that the judgment by a Rivers State High Court, which gave power to the governor to implement the 2024 budget had also been set aside by the Court of Appeal.
“It was the reasoning of the Judge that the action of the 4-member Rivers State House of Assembly being relied upon by Governor Fubara as yardstick to justify unlawful budget, had since been invalidated and set aside by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal both in Abuja.
“Appropriation Bill for January to December 2024, being operated by the 5th defendant (Fubara), having not been charged by the lawful House of Assembly is illegal unlawful and subversion of the 1999 Constitution.
“It is mandatory to present the appropriation bills before the appropriate Houses of Assembly before legitimate disbursement and withdrawal can be made.
“In the instant case, the 5th defendant (Fubara) has not presented any budgetary appropriation known to law to any legitimate House of Assembly. Sections 120, 122 and 197 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have not been complied with.
“It is unwarranted assault to the Constitutional order for anybody, including the 5th defendant to be allowed or permitted to continue to breach and violate Sections 91 and 96 of the Constitution to implement budget that was not approved by the legislative arm.
“Every individual must subject to the rule of law. Using illegally constituted House of Assembly to disburse public funds must not be allowed, the court held.
“Justice Abdulmalik also issued an order of injunction which restrained CBN, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and the Accountant General of the Federation from permitting the withdrawal or use of the funds from the consolidated revenue account and the Federation Account by Rivers State Government until the budget of the State is passed by the appropriate House of Assembly.
“In the judgement, the court issued an order of injunction which restrained Fubara, Accountant General of the State and their agents from authorizing the withdrawal of money from the Rivers State bank accounts domiciled at Zenith Bank and Access Bank until the budget of the State is passed by the appropriate House of Assembly.
“The Judge held that the House of Assembly under Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule remains the legitimate House of Assembly in view of the Federal High Court judgment which nullified and set aside the 4-member House of Assembly led by Victor Oko Jumbo, and upholding of same by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
“Flowing from the above reasoning of the Judge, I can state categorically and unequivocally that the Judge erred as he refused to take account of the fact that those he was referring to as the legitimate State House of Assembly by the mere fact of the defection by her members when PDP was not in division ought not to be used as a means to pass such an evil judgement which is nothing but means to cause unprecedented chaos in Rivers State.
“It is sad and unfortunate that this is the first time this type of a draconian order can be made against any State in Nigeria.
“Honestly, this judgment has further proven to some Nigerians with discerning mind that the President Bola Tinubu administration is not really helping matters as far as the crisis in Rivers State is concerned. Rather than assume a fatherly and statesman role, the body language of Mr President and his suspicious silence go to show that he is somewhat supporting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to unleash terror and instability on Rivers State.
“Let me remind Wike that the people of Rivers State have done so much for him, right from his years as a Local Government Chairman, four years as Chief of Staff to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, four years as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, eight years as the Governor of Rivers State and currently a Minister of FCT under the Tinubu administration, whose perceived hatred for the development and emancipation of Rivers is unprecedented starting from 2015, just to ensure that Rivers State doesn’t overtake Lagos State in terms of development.
“For Wike to have sold himself to be used to undermine the development of Rivers State simply demonstrates his hatred for the State. Let those that celebrate this level of wickedness against a State that have contributed so much for the development of this nation, have a rethink because they don’t know what are ahead of them.
“Rivers State occupies a very sensitive status in Nigeria’s geopolitics, and any attempt to destabilize the State, is a call to derail Nigeria’s democratic governance. Of all the States in Nigeria, it is Rivers, the revenue generator of Nigeria, that is marked for destruction because of one man’s greed and sychophancy.
“Denying the people of Rivers State of their allocations shows that there is no end in sight for the crisis rocking the State due to Wike’s fight to wrestle the political structure of the PDP and APC from Governor Fubara.
“John Martins quote on this issue stated, “Supreme Court rulings are clear and compelling. Back in 2004, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Uwais, in a case brought before the Supreme Court, ruled in favor of Lagos State, declaring the federal government’s attempt to withhold local government allocations unconstitutional. Our amiable President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was then the Governor, celebrated the victory, calling it a win for fairness and constitutional integrity.
“Now, fast forward to today, and we’re seeing a high court ruling that asks the FG, via the CBN, to seize Rivers state allocation. The question on everyone’s mind is: how does this new judgment line up with the Supreme Court’s earlier decision?
“It’s an interesting moment, as people weigh the power of precedent and wonder how the judiciary will navigate this delicate territory.
“As citizens, it’s crucial to stay informed and ensure that justice remains consistent.
“As much as the State will appeal this brazen rape and affront on its people, let me appeal to all and sundry to be calm and not play into the hands of those desiring to declare state of emergency in Rivers State.
“We still believe that President Tinubu can remedy the situation by calling Wike to order. Allowing a Minister in his administration to mastermind political crisis in his state has continued to draw condemnation and negative criticisms to the Tinubu administration. As a result of Wike’s involvement in Rivers crisis, many Nigerians opine that the judgments being churned out by the Federal High Court Abuja are allegedly heavily influenced.
“To buttress the point, not a few Nigerians on social media have been reacting on the bizzare judgement delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja, restraining the CBN from releasing federal allocations to the Government of Rivers State.
“Some of the reactions are captured below:
@Ihima_Principal said, “The Judiciary has been captured to serve the purposes and interests of Abuja politicians. Rivers people deserve their money.”
“@Ibirogba2000 said, “Good The court had already said the House of Assembly should be recognized. The governor will have to either comply with the court order or appeal it. Also, Mr. Wike should advise his followers to work with the governor in order for peace to reign. I believe we all want peace in Rivers State.”
“@TheamazingJosh said, “In saner climes, Wike would have been sacked and thrown behind bars… but well, this is Nigeria….”
“@Oladapomikky1 said, “Then Fubara should revoke all the licenses of all the oil companies in Rivers State.”
“@Divilo2 said, “All you shouting Wike, is it good to run a whole state with just three representatives? So other constituencies don’t deserve a representative? Wike will always fight you with the law; it’s not like Edo, where Obaseki did that and was left unchallenged.”
“@Nwa_Anambra said, “Finally, they are about to make Fubara the greatest hero if they execute this judgment because he will govern Rivers with only IGR. Then questions will be asked about what Wike did with the FAAC he received.”
“@marythesa said, “Wike wants to set Rivers State on fire!”
“@Ayodeledad said, “Wike has all the judges in Abuja under his armpits.”
“@sheiduumar said, “Wike is becoming more selfish. This is definitely working against his people.”
“@kingkhone4real said, “What is this again? Wike wants to set Rivers State on fire under Tinubu’s watch.”
“@Buchyogba said, “They’ll destroy this democracy.”
“@djokemegamixer said, “The judgment is nothing surprising, and as far as Emperor Wike remains a Father Christmas to the judiciary at both the state and federal levels, every judgment with a seeming outlook to ground governance in Rivers State remains suspect. Unfortunately, the people of Rivers State are the biggest victims of this power play. We will see where all this will end. Some who were more powerful than Wike years back are long forgotten today. Nobody will leave this world alive.”
“@Dat_Igbo_ghuy said, “The way they are abusing the courts and its processes, people no longer take our courts seriously, and it’s quite sad.”