Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the Bola Tinubu-led administration for authorizing the release of Rivers State’s withheld allocations to the newly appointed Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, despite a Supreme Court ruling against such action.
The controversy stems from a Supreme Court order issued on February 28, barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other relevant agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government.
The court insisted that the funds should only be disbursed after the state complies with prior court directives.
However, President Tinubu last week declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months due to ongoing political instability.
As part of the federal intervention, Tinubu appointed Ibas as the Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs. On Friday, Ibas confirmed that the previously withheld funds had been released.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Monday, Obi condemned the decision, describing it as a blatant violation of judicial authority.
“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 stressed that the Supreme Court had clearly instructed the CBN and the Accountant-General to withhold the funds until a legitimate Appropriation Act was approved by a properly constituted House of Assembly.
Obi further warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for the rule of law. “By disregarding the judgment of the Supreme Court, those involved are setting a dangerous precedent. The CBN and AGF, institutions meant to uphold the law, should not be complicit in this disregard for our judiciary,” he said.
Highlighting the wider implications of the decision, Obi added, “This is about more than just Rivers State; it is about protecting the very fabric of our democracy and our existence as a nation.”
He called for immediate respect for the rule of law, cautioning that Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive where judicial decisions are disregarded.
“We must choose to do the right thing — to respect the law and uphold the principles that bind us as a nation,” Obi concluded.
