By jabiru hassan, kano
In light of the federal high court ruling in abuja, which bars the central bank of nigeria from disbursing further monthly allocations to the rivers state government due to alleged constitutional violations by governor siminalayi fubara, the centre for anti-corruption and open leadership (cacol) has urged all parties involved in the power struggle to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
In a release issued by cacol and signed by tola oresanwo, the organization’s director of administration and programmes, on behalf of its chairman, mr. Debo adeniran, it was stated, “It should be noted that in her ruling on wednesday, justice joyce abdulmalik found that governor fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to a four-member house of assembly breached constitutional protocol.”
Justice abdulmalik emphasized that since january, rivers state has received and spent allocations based on an “illegitimate” budget, labeling this a “constitutional aberration.”
Cacol has observed the unfolding events in rivers state for several months and posits that none of the parties involved in the conflict is adhering to democratic principles. While acknowledging that it is not the governor’s prerogative to determine the quorum in the state assembly, the organization asserts that he should not present the state budget to an assembly with fewer than one-quarter of its total members. This is clearly contrary to democratic principles, rules, and ethos.
“If the governor wants to claim that other legislators have defected to different political parties, he must provide evidence, as social media speculation is insufficient,” cacol noted. “He should present their membership registration forms or authentic membership cards from the parties they joined. Mere dramatization of defection, such as holding the flag of another party, does not constitute evidence of cross carpeting.”
Based on available information, it is evident that the governor has been misguided into presenting the state budget to fewer than one-quarter of the house of assembly members, which does not align with democratic principles. “Majority counts in every democracy; while the minority may have their say, the majority will always have their way. Allowing a minority to dominate is autocratic and should not be tolerated in our democracy,” cacol added. “If such practices have emerged, they must not be allowed to take root or set a precedent for other states.”
Cacol clarified that it is not taking sides in the power struggle. However, it noted that if a former governor appears more popular than the current governor, it indicates that the sitting governor has lost credibility among his constituents, as he cannot garner the support of a majority in the house of assembly.
The organization called on all parties involved in the political impasse to sheath their swords, emphasizing that their actions and inactions could have serious consequences for the welfare of the people of rivers state. The potential impacts of the court ruling on the state include:
Financial strain: the cessation of allocations could lead to a financial crisis for rivers state, jeopardizing its ability to fund public services, salaries, and infrastructure projects.
Public services: residents may face diminished public services, including healthcare, education, and security, due to a lack of funding.
Political ramifications: this ruling could exacerbate political tensions in the region, potentially leading to protests or calls for accountability from the state government.
Economic effects: the broader economy of rivers state may suffer, particularly if investors perceive the state as unstable due to financial uncertainty.
Future legal precedents: the case may set a precedent for handling similar disputes in the future, affecting relationships between other states and the central bank of nigeria.
