Supreme Court Ruling Escalates Tensions in Rivers State
Uncertainty as Court Halts Federal Allocations, Invalidates LG Elections, and Upholds Defection of 27 Lawmakers
Rivers State is now grappling with rising tension following the recent Supreme Court ruling that has halted the release of federal allocations to the state, voided its local government elections, and upheld a controversial decision on the membership of 27 defected lawmakers.
The Supreme Court’s judgment, delivered on February 28, 2025, has triggered reactions from various political stakeholders, including the Rivers State government, the opposition, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), each offering conflicting interpretations of the court’s decisions.
Supreme Court’s Rulings
In a far-reaching judgment that seems to deepen the political crisis in the state, the Supreme Court ruled that Rivers State is no longer entitled to receive its allocations from the federal government until it complies with existing court orders. The decision follows a prolonged legal battle over the state’s budget and the legitimacy of the current leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The court also invalidated the local government elections conducted on October 5, 2024, citing clear violations of the Electoral Act 2022, including the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update the voters’ register and provide proper notice for the election.
The matter of the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains a contentious issue. The Supreme Court upheld the trial court’s position that these lawmakers are still members of the Assembly despite their defection. This is a major victory for former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his loyalists, who had argued that the defection was legitimate.
Government’s Response
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision, the Rivers State Government called for calm, reassuring residents that the matter of the defected lawmakers’ membership status is still pending in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. The court is scheduled to hear the case on April 30, 2025. According to Joe Johnson, the state’s Commissioner for Information, the government is evaluating the full implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling before taking any further steps.
“We are committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the interests of Rivers State,” Johnson stated, urging residents to remain law-abiding while the government assesses the next legal steps.
Wike Applauds the Judgment
Former Governor Nyesom Wike has publicly commended the Supreme Court’s ruling, describing it as a victory for the people of Rivers State and a clear message against impunity. Wike emphasized that the judgment affirmed the supremacy of the law, adding that the decision should put an end to the excesses of the current administration led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“This is a triumph for justice and the rule of law,” Wike declared, criticizing Fubara’s administration for flouting court orders and constitutional provisions.
INEC Responds to Allegations
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also weighed in, refuting accusations by Governor Fubara that it was complicit in the ongoing crisis. Fubara had claimed that INEC’s refusal to conduct bye-elections to replace defected lawmakers was politically motivated. In response, Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, explained that the commission could not proceed with any elections until the matter was resolved in court, stressing that the case is still sub judice.
“It would be irresponsible for INEC to act outside the bounds of judicial authority,” Oyekanmi said, urging politicians to avoid making statements that could mislead the public.
APC’s Jubilant Reaction
The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Chief Tony Okocha, celebrated the Supreme Court ruling, particularly the decision to recognize the Amaewhule-led faction of the House of Assembly as the legitimate one. Chibike Ikenga, the APC spokesperson, described the judgment as a restoration of peace and a reinforcement of the importance of obeying the rule of law.
“The refusal of the executive arm to adhere to the principle of separation of powers and the rule of law has contributed to the instability in the state,” Ikenga said, calling for an end to the political standoff.
APC Chieftain Criticizes Ruling
However, not all within the APC were pleased with the decision. Chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a prominent figure in the party’s faction in Rivers State, sharply criticized the Supreme Court ruling. Eze described the decision to uphold the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly as an “attack on democracy.” He accused the court of siding with what he called “illegality” and warned that the ruling could destabilize Rivers State further.
Eze expressed concern that the Supreme Court’s intervention was part of a broader political agenda to undermine the government of Governor Fubara, accusing the court of bias in favor of the Wike faction. “This is not just a setback for Governor Fubara; it is a blow to the very essence of democracy in Nigeria,” Eze argued.
The Road Ahead
The political crisis in Rivers State seems far from over. The Supreme Court’s ruling, while clarifying some legal issues, has only intensified the political tension in the state, with the state government, the APC, and the opposition continuing to clash over the implications of the decision.
As the legal battles continue, the residents of Rivers State will be watching closely to see how these developments will affect the governance of the state and the broader political landscape in Nigeria. The government’s commitment to respecting the rule of law will be put to the test as it navigates the fallout from the Supreme Court’s controversial decision.
With legal proceedings still ongoing, the situation in Rivers State remains highly fluid, and many questions about the future of the state’s politics and governance remain unanswered.
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