The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling stopping the release of Rivers State's allocations and reinstated the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. The court declared the rival faction illegitimate and ordered financial disbursements halted until a valid budget is approved. Governor Fubara was also fined N5 million.
The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that halts the release of statutory funds to Rivers State, citing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to present the 2024 budget before the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. The ruling also reinstates the assembly members loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
A five-member panel of justices faulted the Abuja Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn an earlier Federal High Court judgment. The court ruled that the 27 lawmakers accused of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain valid members of the assembly. Any rival faction operating outside the Amaewhule-led legislature was deemed illegitimate.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgment, criticized Fubara’s actions, stating that allowing only four out of 32 legislators to conduct state affairs was unconstitutional. He described the situation as an “excessive use of power” that undermines democratic principles. The court also ruled that all financial disbursements to Rivers State should be halted until a legitimate budget is approved by the reinstated lawmakers.
The verdict is a significant win for the Amaewhule faction and Nyesom Wike’s camp in the ongoing power struggle in Rivers State. However, it raises further questions about governance and stability in the state, as Fubara faces mounting pressure amid political turmoil. With the Supreme Court's final say, all eyes are now on the next moves by the governor and his allies.
