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.
