Supreme Court Ruling In Rivers State Budget Appeal Sparks Political Firestorm

The Supreme Court’s dismissal of Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara’s appeal concerning the 2024 budget has ignited a political maelstrom, with sharply divided reactions emerging across the state.

The apex court, in a ruling delivered by Justice Musa Uwani-Aba-Aji, declared the appeal withdrawn based on a request by Governor Fubara’s lead counsel, Yusuf Ali SAN.

The decision, which followed an application citing events having overtaken the suit, has been met with jubilation by supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,

Nyesom Wike, and the 25 embattled lawmakers aligned with him. Speaker of the embattled group, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule hailed the ruling as a victory for justice and the rule of law, expressing gratitude to Minister Wike and other supporters.

He condemned Governor Fubara’s alleged refusal to provide the assembly with statutory entitlements for almost a year, accusing him of violating the constitution by spending public funds without appropriation.

However, the Rivers State government maintains the ruling is purely academic, as the 2024 budget has already been spent.

Chief of Staff Edison Ehie emphasised that the appeal, case number SC/CV/1071/2024, related solely to the lower court judgment mandating the Governor to re-present the budget before the Amaewhule-led assembly.

Ehie clarified that a separate Supreme Court case challenges the leadership of the House of Assembly and the legitimacy of the 25 lawmakers who defected to the APC in December 2023.

This sentiment was echoed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson, who dismissed the opposition’s celebration as “outdated political propaganda.” He reiterated that Rt. Hon Victor Oko Jumbo remains the authentic Speaker.

The initial case, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, filed in November 2023, challenged the passage of the N800 billion 2024 budget by a minority of the assembly members.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, under Justice James Omotosho, nullified the budget’s passage on January 22, 2024.

The Court of Appeal subsequently dismissed Governor Fubara’s appeal on October 10, 2024, leading to the Supreme Court appeal ,which has now been withdrawn.

The conflicting interpretations of the Supreme Court ruling highlight the deep political divisions within Rivers State.

While the Governor’s camp frames the withdrawal as a strategic move to avoid wasting judicial time on a spent budget, the pro-Wike faction views it as a significant legal victory bolstering their claim to the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The ongoing battle for control of the assembly, therefore, appears far from over.