Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for releasing Rivers State’s withheld allocation to the appointed Sole Administrator, despite a Supreme Court ruling barring such action.
The Supreme Court, in a ruling on February 28, had prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), and other agencies from disbursing allocations to Rivers State until it complied with court orders.
However, last Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
He subsequently appointed retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s Sole Administrator.
On Friday, Ibas confirmed in Port Harcourt that the previously withheld funds had been released.
Reacting on Monday, Obi, in a statement, described the action as unlawful and a direct challenge to the authority of the Supreme Court.
“The decision to release statutory allocations to an appointed Sole Administrator, despite a standing order of the Supreme Court, is not just unlawful — it is a direct challenge to the authority of the highest court of our country,” Obi stated.
He warned that ignoring Supreme Court rulings sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the rule of law, adding that institutions like the CBN and AGF should not be complicit in disregarding judicial decisions.
“This is about more than just Rivers State; it is about protecting the very fabric of our democracy and our existence as a nation,” Obi added.
He called on the federal government to uphold the principles of democracy, respect the rule of law, and ensure judicial decisions are enforced to maintain national stability.
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