Wike vs Fubara: Nigerians react as court stops FG’s monthly allocations to Rivers

Nigerians on social media have reacted to the Abuja Federal High Court’s decision to stop federal allocation to the Government of Rivers State.

the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further releasing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government.

The court held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by Governor Siminalayi Fubara is a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who issued the order on Wednesday, held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Fubara before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

Specifically, the judge said that Fubara’s action in implementing an unlawful budget smacked of gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.

The judge, therefore, restrained the 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.

@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.”

the Court of Appeal in Abuja had dismissed an appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers to challenge the lower court judgment affirming the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly.

A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Oyewole in a unanimous judgment, affirmed the January 22 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, nullifying the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four members of the House of Assembly.

Justice Oyewole held that the appeal was bereft of merit, pointing out that Fubara, having withdrawn his counter affidavits and other processes filed at the lower court, cannot turn around to appeal a matter that had been terminated.

Justice Omotosho had, on January 22, set aside the Rivers’ N800 billion budget passed by five members of the House led by the Edison Ehie-led faction.

The panel, which dismissed the appeal, consequently ordered Governor Fubara to resubmit the budget to the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.