The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has reacted to the Supreme Court judgment which nullified the local government elections in Rivers State, reinstated the judgement that barred the CBN and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to the state and equally affirmed the Hon Matins Amaewhule led Rivers House of Assembly members as valid lawmakers.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, February 28, 2025, the Minister expressed gratitude for the Supreme Court's decision in resolving a prolonged legal dispute.
He highlighted the court's affirmation of the legislature's essential role in a democracy and the illegitimacy of a government operating without a properly constituted assembly, adding the apex court’s judgment has ended impunity in Rivers State
According to the FCT Minister, “The Supreme Court has made it clear that you cannot have a democracy without a legislature. The Supreme Court has made it clear that you cannot say that there is a government without a legislature. It is unheard of where anybody will say three people will constitute an assembly to make law for the entire State. It has nothing to do with an individual, whether you like this person’s face or not. What is important is that, can three people make law for a State, not to even talk of appropriation”.
He condemned the actions taken by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, including expenditure without appropriation, demolition of the House of Assembly building, and appointment of Commissioners without legislative approval describing them as unacceptable in a democratic society.
He said, “You spent money without appropriation. Who does that? One man will spend trillions of naira without the legislature approving it. What can be considered an infraction more than that? You sat on your own spending state money without any legislative approval. It has never happened. Do you need anybody to tell you now that the Governor has committed an impeachable offence?"
Speaking further, the Minister stated, "A Governor will go and bring down a house of the Legislature and we act as if nothing has happened; an independent arm of government and people pretend as if nothing has gone wrong… You went on appeal, the Court of Appeal said this is wrong. We can’t continue with this. "
The Minister stressed the importance of adhering to the rule of law, saying it is the only way the country will move forward.
Noting that the Supreme Court's pronouncement effectively recognized a collapse of government in Rivers State without the legislative arm of government, he urged the Rivers State Governor to respect the apex court’s decision and work with the legitimate legislature, adding that the Governor should also present the state budget to the recognized House of Assembly.
He said, "Democracy is for everybody. You can’t continue to play as if you are God. You must play by the rules. You can say I will do this, nothing will happen. But something will happen just like it has happened today… The Supreme Court has shown it today that we must allow things to be correct for this country to move forward. For this democracy to survive, things must be done very correctly, not you just bulldoze your way because you are a governor. Nobody is saying you shouldn’t exercise the power of a Governor but it must be exercised constitutionally as the law provides."
"Obey the Supreme Court judgment. Go and present your budget. The legislature means well for the people. It’s not about you carrying sycophants, carrying judicial merchants who will tell you we have contact here. It doesn’t work that way".
The FCT Minister however called for peace and adherence to the rule of law in Rivers State, encouraging all parties to respect the judicial process and work towards restoring stability and good governance.
"My recommendation, Rivers people have been very peaceful and patient and let them continue to be patient. But the right thing must be done, nothing more."
Supporters of the FCT Minister had thronged his home in solidarity, singing songs of praise to God.
ANTHONY OGUNLEYE
DIRECTOR OF PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)
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