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Adesanya-Davies calls for caution on Rivers State Allocation judgment
Ayo Ola
The presidential candidate of the Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA), in 2019, Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, has called for caution in exercising the judgment regarding the recent Rivers State allocation decision.
She said this in a statement on Saturday.
She said: “I believe it is crucial to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the Nigerian people. We must prioritize fairness, sensibility and equity, in all matters.
“The Rivers State allocation judgment has significant implications not only for the state’s development and the well-being of its citizens, but the entire nation. May it not result into, “No federal allocation for Rivers State, No oil for Nigeria.
“I am resident in Rivers state, and I know what I am talking about, people are really suffering and struggling to survive here in the state, and life has not been the same with the current state of deprivation, poverty and hunger in the entire nation.
“Therefore, I call on all parties involved and stakeholders to approach this matter with wisdom, caution and consider the long-term consequences of their actions, I hope President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also in the picture.”
A report on October 31, 2024 has stated how the Central Bank of Nigeria was asked by a court to stop releasing aloocation from FAAC to the Rivers State Government.
The report said: “The Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from further releasing funds to the Rivers State Government pending when a lawful appropriation act is passed by a validly constituted House of Assembly.
The court barred banks from allowing the Rivers government and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to withdraw from the state’s accounts.
“Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the orders in a judgment on a suit filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and Martins Amaewhule (as Speaker).
“Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the judgement on Wednesday, citing “constitutional somersault” and “aberration” in how Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been handling the state’s budget since January.
“The banks are now prohibited from granting Fubara access to funds from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Accounts.”
The Prof recalled that, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has also called for the immediate reversal of the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, stopping the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government.
“Peter Obi on his X/Twitter handle on Friday noted that such judgements would not only affect the state government in its administration but would also negatively affect civil servants across the state who are already facing difficult times given the country’s current economic crisis.
“While calling for the immediate reversal of the court judgement he urged leaders to be selfless in dealing with public affairs especially considering the vulnerable and how it affects them.
“Despite the national attention the Rivers state crisis has gained, I have largely stayed away from matters specific to a state, but a recent court judgement halting allocations to the state—and the resulting consequences—demands attention.
“This curious decision now calls upon every well-meaning individual Nigerian to appeal for its immediate reversal.
“Consider the pensioner struggling to survive on a meagre income alongside the health workers, school teachers, civil servants, and everyday citizens whose lives are already marked by severe hardship.
“How much more can they endure?
“This latest development risks pushing them even further into distress—even into untimely deaths—by compounding the challenges they face each day.
“As leaders—whether in the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial our decisions, and actions should be guided by a commitment to the well being of the less privileged and vulnerable among us.
Thus, Adesanya-Davies is in agreement with Peter Obi tweet that, “As we work toward a better future for all, we must genuinely care about the poor and prioritise the well-being of every Nigerian. What we do today should lay the foundation for a new Nigeria that is possible,” as the tweet read.
