Supreme Court Judgment on Rivers State: A Seismic Shift in the Political Landscape
Sinach
Published Date:
Feb 28, 2025
Last Updated:
The Judgment: A Legal and Political Earthquake
The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision, delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji and read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, addressed multiple appeals stemming from the Rivers State political crisis. The court upheld the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, invalidated the October 2024 local government elections conducted under Fubara’s watch, and directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold financial allocations to Rivers State until the governor presents a valid appropriation bill to the recognized Assembly. The justices sharply criticized Fubara’s governance style, accusing him of “excessive use of power” and operating illegally with only four out of 32 Assembly members—a mere 12.5% quorum—calling it an affront to democratic principles.
This ruling culminates months of legal battles that began with the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023, a move Fubara contested as grounds for their seats to be declared vacant under the Nigerian Constitution. Lower courts had issued conflicting judgments, but the Supreme Court’s final verdict has settled the matter decisively in favor of Wike’s allies, reinforcing their control over the legislative arm of the state.
What It Means for Nyesom Wike’s Camp: A Resounding Triumph
For Nyesom Wike, this judgment is nothing short of a masterstroke. The former Rivers State governor, who has been locked in a bitter feud with his erstwhile protégé Fubara over the soul of the state, emerges as the undisputed victor in this round. The reinstatement of the Amaewhule-led Assembly—comprised of lawmakers fiercely loyal to Wike—restores his influence over Rivers State’s legislative machinery, a critical lever of power in any democratic system. With the Assembly now legally empowered to check Fubara’s executive actions, Wike’s camp regains a foothold to dictate the state’s political direction.
The financial stranglehold imposed by the halt in federal allocations further amplifies Wike’s leverage. Rivers State, an oil-rich powerhouse, relies heavily on these funds to sustain its ambitious infrastructure projects and public services—hallmarks of Wike’s legacy as governor. By tying the release of these funds to compliance with the Amaewhule-led Assembly, the Supreme Court has effectively placed Fubara in a chokehold, forcing him to either negotiate with Wike’s faction or risk grinding state governance to a halt. This economic weapon could embolden Wike’s camp to push for more concessions, potentially including impeachment proceedings against Fubara if tensions escalate.
Politically, the ruling burnishes Wike’s image as a formidable strategist. His ability to secure a favorable outcome at the apex court, despite earlier setbacks in lower courts, underscores his deep connections and influence within Nigeria’s judicial and political spheres. However, this victory is not without risks. Wike’s perceived overreach—controlling Rivers State from his perch in Abuja—could alienate voters and fuel a backlash, especially if the public views him as undermining democratic governance for personal gain. The jubilant tone struck by pro-Wike figures like Martin Amaewhule and Ikwerre Local Government Chairman Samuel Nwanosike suggests confidence, but sustaining this momentum will require deft navigation of public sentiment.
What It Means for Siminalayi Fubara’s Camp: A Fight for Survival
For Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Supreme Court’s judgment is a devastating setback that threatens to unravel his administration. The loss of legislative control strips him of the ability to unilaterally shape policy and budgets, while the suspension of federal allocations places his government in a precarious financial position. With the 2024 budget cycle already concluded and the 2025 appropriation process now under the purview of a hostile Assembly, Fubara faces the daunting task of governing with limited resources and a legislature poised to obstruct his every move.
The court’s scathing rebuke of Fubara’s actions—demolishing parts of the Assembly complex, withholding legislative funds, and relying on a minority faction—further damages his credibility. Labeled as “dictatorial” by Justice Agim, Fubara’s reputation as a democratic leader has taken a hit, potentially eroding public trust at a time when he needs it most. His camp’s earlier withdrawal of a related appeal on February 10, 2025, citing the irrelevance of the 2024 budget dispute, now appears as a tactical misstep, signaling weakness rather than pragmatism.
Fubara’s options are stark. He could attempt reconciliation with Wike’s camp, a bitter pill that would require ceding significant ground and possibly his political autonomy. Alternatively, he could double down, rallying grassroots support and leveraging his executive powers to weather the storm—a risky gambit that could provoke impeachment or deepen the state’s financial woes. The appointment of loyalists like Edison Ehie as Chief of Staff and Victor Oko Jumbo as a rival Speaker reflects Fubara’s intent to resist, but the Supreme Court’s ruling has rendered these moves legally impotent. Without a swift and strategic pivot, Fubara risks political isolation, with 2027 looming as a potential endgame for his governorship.
Broader Implications: A Test for Rivers State and Nigerian Democracy
Beyond the immediate camps, the judgment raises critical questions about the health of democracy in Rivers State and Nigeria at large. The spectacle of two political titans—Wike and Fubara—waging war through legal and legislative proxies has sidelined pressing governance issues like infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as noted by observers like lawyer Inibehe Effiong. The Supreme Court’s intervention, while constitutionally sound, highlights the fragility of state institutions when subjected to elite power struggles.
For Wike, the challenge is to wield his newfound advantage without overplaying his hand. For Fubara, it’s a fight for relevance amid suffocating constraints. As Rivers State braces for the fallout, the true cost of this ruling may not be measured in court victories or financial allocations, but in the lost opportunities for a state caught in the crossfire of ambition. The coming months will reveal whether peace—or further chaos—prevails in this oil-rich battleground.
About the Author
Sinach
A les Avocat, living with the It Begins With Me Mantra and determined to dot all i's and cross all t's for a better Nigeria.
