By: Daure David
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, has strongly condemned the recent developments in Rivers State, describing them as an “aberration” and a “direct challenge” to the Constitution and the rule of law in Nigeria. Obi expressed deep concern over the disregard for a Supreme Court ruling that barred the release of statutory allocations to an appointed Sole Administrator in the state.
In a statement issued today, Obi called for the immediate cessation of actions that contravene the judiciary’s authority. He noted that the Supreme Court had explicitly ordered that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) withhold any such funds until a valid Appropriation Act was passed by a properly constituted House of Assembly in Rivers State. However, despite this standing order, Obi said, there has been a blatant disobedience of the Court’s judgment.
“What is happening in Rivers State today is an aberration, unknown to our Constitution and must be condemned by every discerning mind,” Obi said. He described the decision to release the funds to a Sole Administrator as not just unlawful but as an outright defiance of the highest court in the land.
Obi emphasized that the actions of the CBN and AGF, both of which are expected to uphold the law, risk setting a dangerous precedent if left unchecked. He called for a collective commitment to upholding judicial decisions and ensuring that the actions of public officials align with the nation’s constitutional principles.
“The CBN and AGF, institutions meant to uphold the law, should not be complicit in this disregard for our judiciary. We cannot build a nation where those who swore oaths to uphold our Constitution and obey the laws are doing the opposite,” Obi stated.
He further stressed that the disregard for judicial authority in Rivers State is a matter that goes beyond the state’s borders and speaks to the broader health of the nation’s democracy. Obi warned that if Nigeria continues to ignore the rule of law and undermines the separation of powers, it risks jeopardizing the future of its democratic system.
“This is about more than just Rivers State; it is about protecting the very fabric of our democracy and our existence as a nation. A country cannot function where the rule of law is trampled upon, where the separation of powers is disregarded, and where judicial decisions are treated as mere suggestions,” Obi stated.
In his closing remarks, Obi reiterated his commitment to a better Nigeria, underscoring that a new Nigeria is indeed possible, but only if the country adheres to the principles of law, fairness, and justice. “We must choose to do the right thing — to respect the law and uphold the principles that bind us as a nation,” Obi concluded.
Obi’s comments have further ignited the debate about the actions of the federal government and the implications for the nation’s democracy, with calls for greater respect for the judicial system and the rule of law.
