- Urges Tinubu to prioritize national interest over ambition
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stark warning to Nigeria’s judiciary, cautioning against decisions that could destabilize Rivers State. His remarks follow a recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt all payments to the state.
In a statement released by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on October 30, Atiku expressed shock at the judgment, alleging interference from elements close to the Federal Government. He questioned the motives behind the ruling, which was issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, especially given that Rivers State has already challenged a previous Court of Appeal ruling on the legality of its 2024 budget.
Atiku voiced concerns over the timing and intent of the court’s actions. “Last week, the Court of Appeal ruled that the Rivers State budget was invalid because it was passed by an inchoate assembly, ordering Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit the budget. The Rivers State Government has already appealed to the Supreme Court for a review,” he stated.
“However, forces within the Tinubu administration appear to be manipulating the judiciary, undermining the Supreme Court’s authority,” Atiku warned.
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Atiku’s statement also highlighted concerns raised by prominent lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), who reportedly warned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court about potential judicial compromise. According to Falana, judges had allegedly received house gifts in Abuja, a warning that was allegedly ignored.
Atiku praised the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for summoning judges involved in Rivers State cases, commending efforts to restore credibility. However, he also criticized the broader judiciary for escalating political crises, drawing parallels to controversial cases such as the emirship dispute in Kano and the 1993 June 12 annulment.
“Nigerians are gradually losing faith in a judiciary once viewed as the last hope for justice,” Atiku asserted. “Foreign investors will avoid a country where judgments are swayed by financial influence.”
Atiku cautioned against descending into a “Hobbesian state of nature,” with lives becoming “short, nasty, and brutish,” especially in a region like Rivers State, which contributes nearly 25% of Nigeria’s oil production.
Urging the administration to act responsibly, Atiku concluded, “For a nation grappling with economic hardship exacerbated by vandalism and banditry, President Bola Tinubu should put aside personal ambitions and prioritize Nigeria’s stability.”
Atiku called on the judiciary to rebuild its reputation” and reinforce public trust, warning that any further erosion of judicial integrity could have devastating consequences for the nation.
