Saturday, March 1, 2025 - The Supreme Court’s ruling on the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly has put an end to impunity in the oil-rich state, according to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In a landmark decision on Friday, February 28, the apex court barred the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and
other agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until it
complies with court orders.
The court also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi
Fubara, challenging the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Martin
Amaewhule as Speaker. Additionally, the Supreme Court nullified the recent
local government elections in Rivers State, citing gross violations of the
Electoral Act.
Shortly after the verdict, Wike addressed reporters and commended the
judiciary for upholding the rule of law. He argued that allowing the crisis to
persist would set a dangerous precedent. “If you allow this, one day, one
member will constitute an assembly, and there is nothing you can do. It is
unheard of. We must commend the judiciary for being bold to say this impunity
must not be allowed,” he said. He also criticized Governor Fubara’s handling of
the local government elections, stating that they failed to meet the required
legal standards. “You failed to follow the Electoral Act in terms of conducting
local government elections. People were hailing him, saying ‘Yes, you have done
well.’ I hope they will also hail him today,” Wike added.
Taking a swipe at the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Wike accused him of
supporting Fubara despite legal and procedural irregularities. “I hope the
Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum will also hail him today. The Supreme
Court has come out to say ‘enough is enough.’ We must not truncate our
democracy,” he said.
Wike emphasized that the Supreme Court’s decision is final, leaving no
room for further legal challenges. “The only thing anyone can do now is appeal
the judgment to God,” he remarked sarcastically. He also accused Governor
Fubara of destroying the state assembly building and relocating legislative
activities to another venue. “It’s not about me. How can a man demolish the
edifice of the State Assembly and take his fraction to his house? It is unheard
of,” he stated.
Dismissing the significance of hiring multiple Senior Advocates of
Nigeria (SANs) in the legal battle, Wike insisted that only competent legal
arguments and adherence to the rule of law matter. “It is not about hiring 40
Senior Advocates of Nigeria; it is about upholding the rule of law and having
competent people to handle the case,” he concluded.
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