By Mark Lenu
More reactions have continued to pour in, following the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court over the conduct of the October 5 local government elections and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The apex court had on Friday ruled that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation must halt the release of funds to the Rivers State Government until the Rivers House of Assembly is properly constituted in line with the 1999 Constitution as it also affirmed the defected lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule as valid members of the state Assembly.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, declared that no funds should be disbursed to the Rivers State Government until a lawful Appropriation Act is enacted in the state.
Also Read: Rivers State Power Struggle Deepens as Supreme Court Freezes Allocations
Justice Agim further declared the conduct of the October 5, 2024 LG polls as illegal and specifically upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, which barred the allocation of funds to the state government.
In his reaction, the Chairman, Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD) Comrade Clifford Solomon told our correspondent that the judgment will pose a negative implication on the state as he sues for calm among the political gladiators in the state.
He said: “I think the political implication of this judgement is very bad on Rivers State, following the order by the apex court mandating the CBN to seize the allocation meant for the state. It means governance and the welfare of the citizens will suffer.
“This judgement is a very big slap on the faces of the people of Rivers State. This has brought in some insightful jubilation from the other side of the political divide in the state, which is uncalled for.
“However, I wouldn’t advise people to take laws into their hands. I plead for calm among the political gladiators. There is no need for fighting. We are one Rivers State.”
