Atiku Abubakar cautions the Nigerian judiciary, warning of potential unrest in Rivers State after a controversial court ruling halting federal payments. Atiku criticizes alleged political interference and urges judicial independence to preserve democracy, attract investment, and maintain public confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned Nigeria's judiciary strongly, urging restraint to prevent political tensions in Rivers State. Atiku’s statement followed a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt funding to Rivers State. This judicial action, he argued, risks escalating an already tense situation by undermining the Rivers government’s appeal to the Supreme Court, which seeks to resolve disputes over the state’s 2024 budget legality.
Through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku criticized alleged federal influences pushing for the judgment, describing them as political maneuvers that erode judicial integrity and destabilize state governance. Atiku noted that prominent lawyer Femi Falana had previously cautioned about potential judicial compromise due to alleged gifts given to certain officials, a warning that Atiku says went unheeded. He commended Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for convening the judges involved in the Rivers case to address concerns over impartiality.
Atiku also warned of broader consequences, stressing that judicial independence is vital to maintaining public confidence, attracting foreign investment, and avoiding political disarray reminiscent of past crises. He urged the judiciary to uphold its role as a pillar of democracy, cautioning against further actions that could deepen Nigeria's governance issues.
