Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has voiced strong disappointment with the Federal High Court ruling yesterday (Wednesday, October 30), in Abuja, the FCT, ordering the suspension of federal allocations to the Rivers State Government.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly breached constitutional requirements.
Justice Abdulmalik highlighted that Governor Fubara’s continued receipt and utilization of monthly federal allocations since January constituted a violation of constitutional provisions.
Her ruling further stated that implementing an unauthorized budget amounted to a “severe breach” of the 1999 Constitution.
In a reaction shared with Vanguard, Wabara criticized the ruling as an instance of “judicial insensitivity” and warned that it risked escalating tensions within Rivers State.
“These judges have gone haywire. The judiciary has failed Nigeria… This is an invitation to anarchy,” Wabara said, warning that the judiciary for whatever reasons should not be seen to be taking an action that could spark youth restiveness as the allocation is meant for the development of the entire state, including youth empowerment and employment, not for Governor Fubara personally.
Wabara recounted his previous appeals to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in Rivers State’s political crisis, noting the potential for wider national consequences if the situation is not managed carefully.
He said: “This crisis in Rivers State, if not stopped, is capable of consuming Nigeria… The Rivers allocation is for the development of the entire state, not just the Governor. This decision risks halting government activities and could harm the peace and security of the state.”
Wabara further lamented that the ruling undermines the vision of democracy in Nigeria and urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to address judicial accountability.
“I weep for this country. This is not the democracy we all anticipated. The CJN should intensify efforts in calling judges to order… If there is no action, there’s no hope for the country,” he alemnted.
The former Senate President called on the judiciary to consider the broader impact of such rulings, underscoring the economic and social consequences for Rivers State, particularly its public workers and residents.
Wabara concluded by cautioning that without proactive intervention, this crisis could set off unrest that may destabilize not just Rivers State but the country at large.
