The Supreme Court has delivered a seismic ruling that has sent shockwaves through Rivers State’s political landscape, dealing a devastating blow to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a landmark judgment, the apex court upheld an earlier order barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to the state.
In a double whammy, the court also nullified the outcome of the controversial October 5, 2024, Local Government Elections in the state, effectively sacking all elected LG chairmen and councillors. Furthermore, it reinstated the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly—lawmakers loyal to former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike—ordering them to resume legislative duties without obstruction.
Reacting to the verdict, Wike declared that the Supreme Court had brought an end to what he called the “reign of impunity” in Rivers State, asserting that Fubara’s government had effectively collapsed. “All his decisions and appointments have been invalidated,” Wike boasted, adding that the governor had committed a series of impeachable offenses.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara struck a defiant yet cautious tone, stating that his administration would carefully assess the situation and determine the next steps in the best interest of the state and its people.
However, the ruling has not gone down well with all stakeholders. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, described the judgment as a “declaration of war” on Rivers State, calling it a dark day for democracy in Nigeria.
In its unanimous judgment, a five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji faulted the Court of Appeal’s decision to vacate the earlier order stopping the release of state funds. The Supreme Court held that the Federal High Court in Abuja had the jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, who had challenged Governor Fubara’s continued withdrawals and expenditure of state funds without legislative approval.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Emmanuel Agim criticized the appellate court’s interpretation of the case, stating that the fundamental issue was Fubara’s refusal to obey an existing court order mandating him to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the Amaewhule-led Assembly. Instead, Fubara had controversially chosen to present the budget to just four loyalist lawmakers—a move the Supreme Court deemed illegal.
The court ruled that in the absence of concrete evidence proving the 27 lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), they remained legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Additionally, the Supreme Court slammed Fubara’s decision to demolish the House of Assembly complex, stating that political disagreements do not justify contempt of court.
In a separate judgment, the Supreme Court nullified the Rivers State Local Government Elections, ruling that they were conducted in clear violation of the Electoral Act. Justice Jamilu Tukur, who delivered the lead ruling, held that there was no evidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had reviewed the voters’ register at least 90 days before the election, as required by law.
As a result, the Supreme Court restored an earlier Federal High Court ruling that barred INEC from releasing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the LG polls.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Rivers State political crisis has reached a boiling point. The judgment effectively strips Fubara of legislative backing, restricts the state’s access to funds, and leaves his administration in a precarious position.
Wike, emboldened by the ruling, has called for strict adherence to the verdict, insisting that Fubara must now recognize the Amaewhule-led Assembly as the legitimate legislative body. However, political analysts believe this could be the beginning of an intensified power struggle in the state.
Amidst the legal and political turmoil, all eyes are now on Fubara’s next move. Will he submit to the Supreme Court’s ruling and work with his political adversaries, or will he seek new legal avenues to challenge the decision?
One thing is certain—Rivers State is on the verge of a major political showdown, and the coming days will determine the fate of Governor Fubara’s embattled administration.
PIONEER NEWS 