In an apparent blow to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld an earlier court ruling that voided the presentation and passage of the state’s 2024 budget.
The ruling recognises the leadership of the state’s House of Assembly loyal to Mr Fubara’s predecessor and now rival, Nyesom Wike.
The decision is the latest chapter in the high-stakes political battle between Mr Fubara and Mr Wike, who handpicked Mr Fubara to succeed him but has since refused to relinquish political control of the oil-rich state.
The court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, ruled that Mr Fubara’s appeal lacked merit, affirming the January 2024 judgement by the Federal High Court.
That ruling declared the budget presentation to be illegal, citing the Martin Amaewhule-led faction as the “legally” constituted Rivers State House of Assembly. This faction is loyal to Mr Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Mr Fubara’s initial presentation of the N800 billion budget to just five loyal lawmakers, had been seen as a move to solidify his control over the state’s politics.
It came after 27 lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in allegiance to Mr Wike.
The latest ruling, agreed by all three judges led by Joseph Oyewole, is a victory for Mr Wike.
“What we heard today is that the Court of Appeal has admonished and scolded the governor of Rivers state,” Mr Amaewhule told journalists after the ruling.
The ruling comes just days after the two factions clashed over the conduct of local government elections, where Fubara’s camp claimed victory while Wike’s supporters lost out.
As tensions mount, the next move for Gov. Fubara is likely to be an appeal to the Supreme Court, where he would hope to overturn the ruling.
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