The Chairman and members of the State Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State have hailed the Supreme Court on their decisions on the protracted crises rocking the Rivers State government(Executive )on the one hand, and the House of Assembly(Legislature) on the other.
The Apex Court reiterated the need for obedience to the laws of the land as the only panacea to enthroning peace, tranquility and development. On the contrary, the court put the blame on the crises rocking the oil and gas state squarely on the table of the Executive led by Gov Fubara. According to the court, the cause of the crises in the state are orchestrated by the flagrant disobedience to the laws-Oaths of Office and Allegiance. The refusal of the Executive arm of the government under Gov Fubara to abide by the laid down procedures of Separation of Powers-(Montesquieu)and the Rule of Law-(A V Dicey) led to the incessant breakdown of law and other in the state.
The Court further made determinations on the issues before it with nexus to enabling the return to constitutionality and due process.
Accordingly, the court stated as follows:
1. The instability in the state is created by the Executive under Governor Fubara’s determination to disobey the constitution
2. that the CBN and the Accountant-General withhold further revenue allocation to the state until the Governor presents an Appropriation bill to the Rt Hon Martins Amaewhule led House of Assembly.
3. that Rt Hon Martins Amaewhule is the Speaker of the House of Assembly
4. that the 26 other members are validly elected members who are to make laws for the good governance of Rivers State.
5. that the 4 member forum cannot form a quorum and that any action taken by the 4 on the appropriation is invalid
6. that Rt Hon Martins Amaewhule and members should proceed with law-making unhindered for the good people of Rivers State.
7. that the purported local government election on the 5th of October, 2024 having not followed the laid down procedures/due processes/laws of the state(local government laws), the electoral Act as amended and the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria as amended is declared invalid and never took place.
These contentious issues having been addressed with proper alignment to the laws and constitution of the land, we call on all lovers of democracy, men/women of goodwill to prevail on Gov Fubara to quickly retrace his steps not supported by the laws and do the needful for the development of our dear state to thrive.
As a party, you will recall that we had at various opportunities called on Gov Fubara to obey court orders, rulings, judgements and the extant laws for peace but all our entreaties fell on deaf ears as the Governor was more interested in listening to ‘conflictprenuers’ who cashed in on his ‘naivety’ to scam the state and dealt a very big blow to our treasury and development. Some of these later day saints could not consider the challenges their siphoning the funds for development of the state to their private pockets will pose to the masses of the people.
Our challenge of the unconstitutionality of the local government election which has been validated by the Apex Court was done in good faith to safe the resources of the people at the third tier from further developmental deterioration
Finally, we assure the citizens of the state, that as the opposition party, we will continue to act as watchdogs for good governance and qualitative delivery of the yearnings and aspirations of our people.
Thank you
Chibike Ikenga(Digital)
Publicity Secretary
For and on behalf of of the Chairman and members of the State Executive Committee of the APC, Rivers State
