Rivers Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has stated that Wednesday’s Abuja Federal Court judgment was Least of his troubles as it would not stop him from administering the state.
This is as the judgment has been greeted by widespread criticisms and opposition across various segments of the state.
An Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Joyce Abdulmalik on Wednesday, among other orders asked the Central Bank of Nigeria to withhold the monthly financial allocation to Rivers State over the issues of the presentation of the 2023 budget by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.
But speaking during a special thanksgiving ceremony to commemorate his administration’s resilience amidst escalating political crisis that began a year ago with an arson attack on the Rivers State House of Assembly complex Governor Siminalayi Fubara expressed his determination to forge ahead.
He said that despite the court order, his administration will continue to fulfill payment to contractors and ensure that workers received their salaries starting for October 31.
Reflecting on his administration’s achievement, the governor stated that despite the predictions of his administration’s swift demise he has successfully governed the state for over a year.
He told the people; “the way you did it one year ago, we know you are going to do it once again for us. Forget about the stories on social media, that one is the least of my troubles. By tomorrow, I’m still going to pay my contractors, by tomorrow, those of you that have not got your salaries, your alerts will come. Local Government Chairmen you have done your JAAC, your money is coming to your account.
Today who’s the looser? We are not doing luncheon here ooo, to celebrate loss, failure, we are praising God because He’s taking us to a higher position.
He urged his supporters to remain steadfast assuring then that all challenges can be overcome.
He expressed gratitude to God for His divine rescue. He also acknowledged that without the overwhelming support of Rivers people his winning over his detractors would not have been possible.
“You need to brace up and be strong. We are still complete and intact”, Fubara charged the his supporters.
Individuals and groups stakeholders in the state have heavily criticised the judgment describing as targeted at disstabilising the state and further aggravating the suffering of the people at this already difficult times.
In his reaction, a former spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum PANDEF, and member of the Rivers State Elders Forum, Chief Annas Sara Igbe said the ball was now in the governor’s court expressing optimism that the case would be appealed.
“The attitude of the judge from the beginning of this case shows bias and when a judge shows open bias, its very unfortunate. People wrote petition against you, you are not ready to listen, you don’t want to step down; and we are saying you are biased, you are not interested; we are trying to change lawyer, you said no; file motion, you said no. So it’s very clear that the person (judge) had a hatchet job to do, which she has done.
“This is not the end of the matter. There is the court of appeal, we are going to the Court of Appeal. But very soon, these 27 lawmakers will know where they are. They are dragging themselves to deep shit, the governor is not willing to take certain actions but I believe that at this point in time we will know whether he will take those actions or not”.
Also Frontline activist and Ijaw leader, Ann Kio Briggs said it was unfortunate that those she called enemies of the state would go to any extent to cripple the state.
She however, said the state would survive despite the court judgment
On his part, Charles Jaja, a rights activist questioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on his gains in disstabilising the state.
According to him, the judgment is a miscarriage of justice.
“I want to ask the Minister (Wike) what is his own gain in trying to pull down the state.
If you have noticed the speed with which almost all the cases brought before the Abuja Federal High Court have been handled and then, you will certainly know the something is fishy and look at the ones still lying in appeal where the legality of the 27 lawmakers are to be determined, whether they are still lawmakers or not, yet that case is still pending.
So why wouldn’t the judiciary speed up the case to determine whether they are still law makers or not and yet they are still going this way and that. The judiciary is creating problems for the country, I can tell you, of a truth.
The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) also reacted, expressing sadness with the judgment.
A statement by the President of NULGE in Rivers State, Clifford Paul said the judgment undermined the welfare of the people and the peace of the state.
He criticized the action of some people who are bent on disstabilising the state for their selfish reasons.
He said; “The NULGE, Rivers State Chapter wishes to express deep concern and opposition to any attempt to withhold allocation to Rivers State.
“The union criticises the apparent disregard shown by some leaders for the welfare of the people and peace of the state.
“This action threatens the stability and prosperity of the state and its economy. Nulge sees this as part of the continuous attack by those whose interest is to disstabilise Rivers State for personal gains.
“With particular reference to the recent judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja directing the Central Bank of Nigeria to withhold the monthly allocation to Rivers State, this is an attack on the good people of Rivers State, an attack that is against the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President”.
The NULGE President called on President Bola Tinubu to do something about the escalating conflict in Rivers as quickly as possible.
“NULGE therefore calls on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to act decisively on this matter. Mr. President cannot afford to look away, while the renewed hope he promised Rivers people is bastardised. This is a matter of national importance, the citizens are not finding it easy with the harsh economic policies of Mr. President how much more when the state allocation is seized. How can you beat a child and ask the child not to cry NULGE cannot fold its hands and allow this to happen”.