A coalition of 27 federal lawmakers from opposition parties has condemned the Supreme Court’s decision barring the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to Rivers State.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Opposition Lawmakers’ Coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State, described the ruling as “strange” and warned that it could have severe consequences for the people of Rivers.
The lawmakers also criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the October 5 Rivers local government election, asserting that governance at the council level would continue despite the ruling.
Ugochinyere pointed out that the ruling did not reinstate the former council chairmen whose tenure expired last year, emphasizing that the local government leadership vacuum would not be left unaddressed.
Expressing their unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the lawmakers maintained that he would remain in office until the appeal concerning the defection of 25 lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, is resolved.
“It is surprising that the Supreme Court faulted the Court of Appeal’s decision to vacate the initial order stopping the release of funds to Rivers State, simply because Governor Fubara did not re-present the 2024 budget before the sacked Amaewhule-led faction,” Ugochinyere stated.
He further warned pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers against premature celebrations, arguing that their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress remains an ongoing legal battle.
“To those power-hungry lawmakers, your removal stands. You desecrated the Constitution by defecting from a peaceful PDP to a chaotic APC. Don’t celebrate yet—it’s not uhuru,” Ugochinyere declared.
