Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the release of statutory funds to the sole administrator of Rivers State, despite a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting such action.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, Obi described the move as a “brazen disobedience and disregard” for the rule of law and Nigeria’s democratic principles.
“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 said.
The Supreme Court had ruled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) must withhold the funds until a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly passes an appropriation act. However, the funds were released regardless, prompting widespread criticism.
Obi argued that such actions “undermine the authority of the Supreme Court and set a dangerous precedent.”
“The CBN and AGF, institutions meant to uphold the law, should not be complicit in this disregard for our judiciary,” he added.
The former Labour Party candidate emphasized that the issue is not just about Rivers State but about protecting Nigeria’s democracy.
“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 warned.
He urged Nigerians to uphold democratic values and respect the law, stating that “a new Nigeria is possible” only if the country remains committed to its constitutional principles.