- Rivers elders throw weight behind Governor
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court which set aside the N800 billion budget passed by five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly which was led by Edison Ehie-led.
The appellate court on Thursday dismissed the appeal filed by the Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara on grounds that it lacked merit.
The court held that Governor Fubara withdrew his counter-affidavit at the lower court in the matter and as such cannot commence an appeal in a matter he did not challenge at the trial stage.
In the unanimous judgement, the court said that Governor Fubara is expected to apply the rule of law and not the rule of might.
The court further says that the situation in Rivers State House of Assembly is an executive dictatorship by the governor and a joke taken too far.
Justice Omotoso had nullified the 2024 Rivers budget passed by pro-Fubara lawmakers and set aside the presentation and passage of the Rivers State 2024 budget.
In the judgment delivered Omotoso ordered Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers governor, to re-present the budget to the legally constituted House of Assembly under Martin Amaewhule.
Fubara had presented the budget titled: ‘Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity’ of N800 billion to five out of the over 30 lawmakers of the state house of assembly in December 2023.
In the judgment, Justice Omotoso ordered Fubara to release all funds accruable to the Rivers House of Assembly and barred the governor from interfering with the activities of the assembly.
The court also nullified the redeployment of the clerk and deputy clerk of the state assembly by the state’s head of civil service.
The judge held that the appointment of a clerk and deputy clerk is the responsibility of the speaker, as contained in the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission law.
The court further ruled that the Inspector General of police and the Nigeria Police Force were duty-bound to continue to provide security for all Rivers citizens, including members of the state assembly.
The court also ordered a pause on the planned demolition and reconstruction of the Rivers State Assembly complex.
Rivers elders throw weight behind Fubara
Meanwhile, the Rivers Elders and Leadership Forum has declared its support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara amidst the escalating political tensions in the state.
RIVLEF Chairman, Chief Rufus Ada-George, announced the forum’s position during a news conference on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Ada-George praised Fubara for demonstrating courage and maintaining a peaceful stance despite unwarranted provocations by certain politicians in Rivers.
“We commend Fubara for his courage and determination in standing firm and resolute in defending the interests of the people of Rivers state.
“The governor, his team and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) have been bold in upholding democracy and democratic values.’’
Ada-George, a former governor of Rivers, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his interventions aimed at reducing political tensions in the state.
He, however, criticised the president for allegedly failing to admonish the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his role in the crises.
“President Tinubu has called for peace and advised aggrieved political parties and individuals dissatisfied with the outcome of the local government elections to seek redress through the courts.
“However, the failure to mention Wike, a key figure in the political crises, sends the wrong signal.”
The chairman remarked that the battle for political structures and influence in the state was over, as the people had made their choices in the recently concluded local government elections.
He noted that the people were the true custodians of political structures and urged dissenting voices to remain silent.
“The people of Rivers have now restructured and any resort to violence and arson will not benefit us.
“Therefore, we call on the police to promptly implement President Tinubu’s directive to secure local government offices, maintain law and order and protect lives and property,” he advised.
Ada-George further commended residents of the state for their active participation and peaceful conduct during the elections.
A former Deputy Governor in Rivers, Gariel Toby, expressed confidence in the policy’s ability to maintain peace in the state.
He reaffirmed the forum’s trust in the law enforcement agencies’ ability to carry out their duties despite concerns over police partisan actions prior to the elections.
The forum’s membership includes prominent national figures such as retired Rear Adm. Ochegomie Fingesi, former member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council.
Others are retired Group Capt. John Kalio, former Military Administrator of Yobe, Sen. Andrew Uchendu, foremost environmental and rights activist, Annkio Briggs, and Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, among others.
