The political climate in Rivers State is tension soaked as the nation’s apex court will today rule on the remaining consolidated cases in the lingering political crisis in the State.
Since October 2023, Rivers State was thrown into a political crisis as the immediate past Governor and now the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, Nyesom Wike fell apart with his protege and incumbent Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
The crisis led to attempted impeachment of the Governor and escalation of the crisis
Another fall out of the crisis is the defection of the 27 members of the state House of Assembly including the Speaker from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress
Some members of the State Executive Council also resigned in solidarity with the FCT minister who influenced their appointment.
There had been conflicting court verdicts in different courts in respect of the crisis until the apex consolidated the cases preparatory for today’s ruling
Read also: Supreme Court sets February 10 for cases between Fubara, Wike camps in Rivers State legal battles
The cases the apex court will be dealing with today are, SC/CV/1174/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Rivers State Government and nine others; SC/CV/1175/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Rivers State Governor and nine others; SC/CV/1176/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, and nine others; and
SC/CV/1177/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Accountant General of Rivers State and nine others.
Whichever way the Supreme court decision goes today, it will redefine the political landscape of the state and leave a lasting impact on the nation’s jurisprudence and political orientation.
