President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, has criticized a recent ruling from a federal high court in Abuja that orders the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend federal allocations to Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional.
Speaking at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) in Warri, Delta State, Professor Okaba denounced the ruling as an example of “judicial rascality” and a breach of essential federal principles.
He urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to proceed with caution regarding the current tensions in Rivers State. He warned that ongoing perceived injustices and abuses of power against the state’s governor could lead to serious repercussions.
Okaba stated, “Mr. Chairman of this occasion, permit me again to use this auspicious occasion to advise the Tinubu-led federal Government to be very cautious in managing the crisis in Rivers State. We feel obliged to warn again and again that if the injustice, oppression and abuse of power perpetrated against the Governor of Rivers State continues unchecked, the consequences might be very grievous.
“The recent Abuja based federal high court judgment directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop Federal allocations to the State can be best described as the product of judicious rascality. It is equally unconstitutional and a flagrant abuse of basic principles of federalism.
“When you attempt to deny a state (not just any State but Rivers State with her enormity in all ramifications). We maybe will fast forwarding the declaration of the Late Governor of Bayelsa State Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha that ‘When you deny the people their inalienable right to their God given wealth you should be getting ready to beg to obtain 1% of the same resources/allocation.’
“This judgment is in its entirety is condemnable and provocative. However, the ljaw National Congress beckons on all members of Congress and lovers of peace and justice to remain calm and steadfast in their prayers and support for Governor Siminilayi Fubara and the ljaw Nation. This madness of a judgment will not stand the test of time because 20 years ago, the Supreme Court of this same country declined an application to withhold allocations to Lagos State.”
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