The Supreme Court’s ruling on the ongoing crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly has put an end to impunity in the state, according to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Delivering its judgment on Friday, the apex court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other relevant agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until it complies with court orders, which the court described as being flagrantly disobeyed.
A five-man panel of the Supreme Court also unanimously dismissed a cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which challenged the legitimacy of the House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule as Speaker. In addition, the court nullified the recently conducted local government elections in Rivers, ruling that they grossly violated the Electoral Act.
Reacting to the judgment, Wike addressed reporters and commended the judiciary for upholding the rule of law.
“If you allow this, one day, a single member will claim to be an assembly, and there will be nothing anyone can do. It is unheard of. We must commend the judiciary for boldly stating that this level of impunity must not be allowed,” he said.
He also criticized the conduct of the local government elections, emphasizing that they did not adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“You failed to follow the Electoral Act in conducting the local government elections, yet people were cheering him (Governor Fubara), saying he had done well,” Wike added.
The former Rivers State Governor also took a swipe at the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for backing Fubara. He insisted that the Rivers Governor had no choice but to comply fully with the Supreme Court’s verdict, as it represents the final legal authority on the matter.
“I hope they will also hail him today. I hope the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum will also applaud him today. The Supreme Court has made it clear—enough is enough. We must not allow our democracy to be undermined,” Wike stated.
He noted that after over 15 months of crisis, the highest court in the land has now settled the issue. “The only appeal left is to God,” he remarked.
“People keep saying ‘Wike, Wike.’ This is not about me. How can a governor demolish the state assembly complex and relocate his faction to a private residence? It is unheard of. For me, this ruling is a victory for Nigerians and the people of Rivers State. The impunity must end. We cannot allow anyone to destroy the nation’s democracy,” he asserted.
Wike further emphasized that winning a legal battle is not about hiring numerous Senior Advocates of Nigeria but about upholding the rule of law and entrusting competent hands to handle cases.
