Atiku Abubakar Urges Caution from Judiciary Amid Rivers State Tensions
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a stern warning to the judiciary to avoid actions that could ignite unrest in Rivers State. His comments follow a recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja that instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend all financial transactions with the state.
In a statement released by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed concern over what he described as behind-the-scenes manipulations by individuals aligned with the Federal Government. He questioned the rationale behind Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s order, given that Rivers State had already launched an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision regarding the legality of its 2024 budget.
The statement highlighted Atiku’s remarks, stating, “Just last week, the Court of Appeal ruled that the Rivers State budget was invalid due to its passage by an inchoate assembly, directing Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit the budget for approval.” He continued, noting that the Rivers State Government had already filed a notice of appeal, seeking the Supreme Court’s review of the matter.
Atiku further alleged that certain figures within Bola Tinubu’s administration were orchestrating a ruling aimed at undermining the authority of the Supreme Court. He referenced legal expert Femi Falana (SAN), who had cautioned the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, about potential judicial compromise after reports of gifts being offered to judges. Unfortunately, Falana’s concerns went unheeded.
While commending Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for taking action to address the judges involved in the Rivers State cases, Atiku called on the judiciary’s leadership to ensure that any misconduct is met with appropriate discipline to uphold the integrity of the institution.
He expressed deep disappointment over the current state of affairs in Nigeria, stating, “The country has entered a realm of absurdity since the Tinubu administration assumed power.” He criticized the judiciary for exacerbating political instability both within parties and in various states, citing instances like the emirship dispute in Kano and ongoing issues in Rivers, where courts are obstructing elections.
Atiku likened the situation to the tumultuous period surrounding the June 12, 1993, election annulments, lamenting that under the purported guardianship of democracy, Nigeria is spiraling into disorder. He noted the prevalence of conflicting court orders and allegations of judicial corruption undermining public trust in a system that is supposed to protect citizens’ rights.
He warned that foreign investors would shy away from jurisdictions where judicial outcomes can be influenced by monetary incentives and emphasized that Nigeria must not regress into a state of disorder where individuals take the law into their own hands. Atiku reminded that Rivers State is crucial to Nigeria’s economy, contributing nearly 25% of the nation’s oil resources.
In closing, he urged President Tinubu to prioritize Nigeria’s interests over personal political ambitions leading up to the 2027 elections. He called upon the Nigerian judiciary to reclaim its reputation before it becomes irreparably damaged.
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