Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, stated on Wednesday that he was unconcerned with the Federal High Court’s ruling that prevented the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from issuing state allocations.
The governor said that his handling of the situation, which followed President Bola Tinubu’s involvement, gave his opponents more influence.
Governor Fubara admitted that this strategy could have unintentionally given his opponents more influence, but he had no remorse about his desire for peace.
On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja’s Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rendered a decision prohibiting the CBN from disbursing monthly budgetary allocations to the Rivers State Government.
The presentation of the 2024 budget to the four-member Rivers State House of Assembly was mentioned in the verdict as a breach of the 1999 Constitution.
According to Justice Abdulmalik, Governor Fubara has been violating the Constitution by disbursing monthly allocations since January of this year.
Speaking at a special Thanksgiving service to honour his administration’s fortitude in the face of recent political unrest, such as the October 29, 2023, arson attack on the State House of Assembly, Fubara gave the people of Rivers his word that his administration would continue to pay contractors and make sure that workers receive their salaries on time beginning tomorrow (on Thursday).
Governor Fubara affirmed that because the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee, or JAAC, processes have been finalised, allocations for the 23 Council Chairmen would also be completed.
He emphasised that obstacles can be overcome and urged his supporters to continue being resilient.
Governor Fubara reviewed the accomplishments of his administration and pointed out that, in spite of early doubts about how long his government would last, he has successfully led for more than a year, held elections for local governments, and kept a full cabinet in spite of efforts to undermine his authority.
He addressed concerns about his administration’s ability to deliver by highlighting ongoing initiatives around the state.
Fubara cited recent awards that established Rivers State as a pioneer in financial openness and accountability.
When he recounted the October 30th violent incident, which the governor described as an assassination attempt, Fubara blamed the attack on political rivals who allegedly ambushed him after he had legally withdrawn from the Martin Amaewhule group, a decision that was influenced by President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.
Governor Fubara stated that this strategy could have unintentionally given his opponents more influence, even if he had no remorse about wanting peace.