Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has outrightly criticised the ongoing political developments in Rivers State, describing them as an aberration and a violation of Nigeria’s constitutional order.
The former Anambra State governor who spoke via his verified X handle condemned the alleged disobedience of a Supreme Court ruling regarding the release of statutory allocations to an appointed sole administrator instead of a duly constituted legislative body.
Obi expressed concern over the decision to release state funds despite a standing order from the Supreme Court, which had barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General (AG) of the Federation from disbursing these allocations until a legally recognised House of Assembly passes an Appropriation Act.
He warned that disregarding the judiciary’s authority sets a “dangerous precedent” and undermines the rule of law. He also urged institutions such as the CBN and AGF, which are mandated to uphold the law, not to be complicit in actions that defy judicial decisions.
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The economist stressed that the issue extends beyond Rivers State, as it threatens the core of Nigeria’s democracy. He called on leaders to respect the judiciary and uphold constitutional principles, warning that continued violations could jeopardise the nation’s democratic future.
“What we are witnessing in Rivers State is a brazen disobedience and disregard for the rule of law and our democratic principles.
‘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.
“The Supreme Court had explicitly barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from releasing these funds until a properly constituted House of Assembly passes a valid Appropriation Act. Yet, we see a situation where this order is being ignored. This raises serious moral questions about what is happening in Rivers State.
“A country cannot function where the rule of law is trampled upon, where the separation of powers is disregarded, and where judicial decisions are treated as mere suggestions,” he cautioned.
“If we continue this way, we are undermining the future of our democracy. We must choose to do the right thing—to respect the law and uphold the principles that bind us as a nation,” he said.
