- Days After Militia Group Warning
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Rivers State crisis appears to have taken a new twist as a federal high court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further disbursing financial allocations to the state government, eliciting concerns in political circles.
The court held that monies from the federation account should not be released to the state pending the passage of a lawful appropriation act by a validly constituted house of assembly.
Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, issued the verdict on Wednesday while delivering judgment on a suit filed by the Rivers state house of assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
Recall that The New Diplomat had on Sunday reported that a militia group threatened to shut down oil installations in the Niger Delta region if Wike did not stop allegedly disrupting the business of governance under Governor Siminalayi Fubara with his “overbearing influence which is supposedly strengthened by Federal might”.
The group had called on President Bola Tinubu to call Wike to order or oil facilities in the region will be crippled.
The threat was contained in a statement issued by group’s spokesman, Justice Alabraba.
It alleged that Wike’s attitude has become unbearable members of the group won’t fold their arms and watch the ex-governor keep undermining the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
The statement added, “Our members will not hesitate to shut down oil installations if any judge in Abuja issues a pronouncement that financially incapacitates local governments in Rivers State, preventing them from fulfilling their duty to the people.
“We will act immediately. It will be a swift response, and we will shut down major oil installations in the Niger Delta. If President Bola Tinubu allows Wike to disrupt governance in the local governments of Rivers State, we will also disrupt governance at all levels. We cannot continue to suffer while other parts of Nigeria prosper. Wike must leave Fubara alone.
“For months now, Wike has continued to insult and intimidate Governor Fubara, wielding his federal influence. We won’t tolerate that anymore.
Any further move against Fubara by Wike will be met with the destruction of oil installations. Since Tinubu seems intent on turning a blind eye, let us all face the consequences together. Rivers State does not belong to Wike, and he cannot conclude his eight-year term without harassing those who helped him get there while now seeking to disturb his successor.”
The group had warned that there would be no going back if a judgement is issued against Rivers State, insisting, “We will bomb and continue to destroy oil installations. This is not a threat; it is a promise. Enough is enough. Wike and Tinubu cannot take us for granted any longer.”
