Peter Obi Condemns Tinubu’s Release of Rivers’ Withheld Allocation Despite Supreme Court Order

 

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for releasing Rivers State’s withheld federal allocation to the newly appointed Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, despite a standing order from the Supreme Court.

On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), and other relevant agencies must withhold Rivers State’s allocation until the State House of Assembly properly passes an Appropriation Act. The ruling aimed to curb what the court described as “flagrant disobedience to court orders.”

However, following Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State last week—where he suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months—the President went ahead and released the state’s withheld funds to the Sole Administrator.

On Friday, March 22, Ibas confirmed in Port Harcourt that the allocation had indeed been disbursed.

Reacting to the development, Peter Obi took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, March 25, condemning the decision as unlawful and a direct challenge to the Supreme Court’s authority.

“The decision to release statutory allocations to an appointed Sole Administrator, despite a standing order of the Supreme Court, is not just unlawful — it is a direct challenge to the authority of the highest court of our country.”

Obi further emphasized that ignoring the Supreme Court’s ruling raises serious moral and legal concerns:

“The Supreme Court explicitly barred the CBN and AGF from releasing these funds until a properly constituted House of Assembly passed a valid Appropriation Act. Yet, we see a situation where this order is being ignored. This raises serious moral intentions and questions about what is happening in Rivers State.”

Obi cautioned that disregarding judicial rulings sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Nigeria’s democracy.

“By disregarding the judgment of the Supreme Court, those involved are setting a dangerous precedent. The CBN and AGF, institutions meant to uphold the law, should not be complicit in this disregard for our judiciary. We cannot build a nation where those who swore oaths to uphold our constitution and obey the laws are doing the opposite.”

He further stressed that the crisis extends beyond Rivers State, warning that such actions weaken the separation of powers and the rule of law in Nigeria.

“A country cannot function where the rule of law is trampled upon, where the separation of powers is disregarded, and where judicial decisions are treated as mere suggestions.”

Obi urged the government to reverse its course and respect the judiciary to protect Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

“If we continue this way, we are undermining the future of our democracy. We must choose to do the right thing — to respect the law and uphold the principles that bind us as a nation.”

As political tensions escalate in Rivers State, all eyes are on President Tinubu’s administration to see whether it will uphold or defy the Supreme Court’s ruling.