Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike returned to Port Harcourt in high spirits last night, just hours after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of his loyalists, restoring their control over the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Supporters and political allies gathered at the Port Harcourt Airport to welcome Wike, continuing the celebrations that had started in Abuja during a ‘Worship, Praises, and Prayers’ event following the court’s decision.
The ruling reaffirmed Martin Amaewhule as Speaker, along with 26 other lawmakers aligned with Wike.
Reacting to the judgment, Wike declared it a victory for the rule of law in Rivers State.
He criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who leads the PDP Governors’ Forum, for previously supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s actions.
He questioned whether they would still stand by Fubara after the Supreme Court’s definitive verdict.
Wike wondered if Atiku and Mohammed would continue to hail Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers for disobeying court orders like they did in the past following the Supreme Court judgment.
He was reacting to the Supreme Court judgment that ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Accountant General of the Federation to stop allocation to Rivers State government.
The Supreme Court ordered that the ruling would be in force until Fubara stops all his illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional activities.
It directed that funds would be released to Fubara’s government when a lawful Appropriation Law is enacted under the Martin Amaewhule Speakership.
In a judgment on Friday delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, the Supreme Court also ordered the 27- members of Rivers House of Assembly to resume function immediately.
However, Wike said the judgment was an indication that the impunity in Rivers State must stop.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Wike said: “This are some of the things we see in this country, when you say something people will start to carry blackmail and would fall trap to that.
“For me, it’s happiness for Rivers people and Nigerians that yes this impunity must stop, enough is enough. You are aware when the issue of local government came up, a governor elected who has taken oath to abide by the constitution, came out to say that it’s a corrupt judgment.
“But we thank God, today the apex court had said it all, go back you have no budget; Central Bank and Accountant General, you can’t continue to release money when there is no government.
“Until you present your budget to the appropriate assembly, which is the 27 members, no money should be released.
“You refused to follow the electoral act in terms of conducting the local government election, what was the issue? INEC don’t release voters register if you don’t comply with court given order, you said no that you won’t obey and Nigerians were clapping.
“People like Atiku were hailing that yes you have done well, I hope they will also hail him today? I hope the Chairman of PDP governors forum will also hail him today?
“The Supreme Court has said enough is enough, we must not truncate our democracy. If they had allowed this, one day one member would constitute an assembly and there is nothing you can do.”
