Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has vehemently condemned the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend federal allocations to Rivers State local governments. In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, he described the judgment as a “gross miscarriage of justice” and a calculated attempt to destabilize Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration. He alleges judicial compromise in the decision driven by political interests. He warns of a resultant political unrest in the state and says that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun should be held accountable of any potential unrest.
Allegations of Fraud and Political Maneuvering
Frank went further to label the Supreme Court’s ruling as “the most fraudulent judgment ever delivered in Nigeria’s history,” asserting its lack of legal merit and its basis in political maneuvering. He questioned the court’s rationale, stating:
“How can the Supreme Court give this kind of anti-truth, anti-God, inhuman, anti-justice, and compromised judgment that is obviously meant to give the opposition APC the leeway to take over Rivers State?”
The Invalidity of Lawmakers’ Defection
Frank criticized the alleged illegal defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. He insists their defection invalidates their continued presence in the Rivers State House of Assembly, asserting that “everybody knows that the suspended 27 lawmakers from Rivers State illegally defected from PDP to APC, and despite this kangaroo judgment, they are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Financial Starvation and Attempted Impeachment
Frank directly links the suspension of local government allocations to a deliberate attempt to financially cripple Governor Fubara’s administration, hindering governance and undermining the will of the Rivers State electorate. He accuses the Tinubu administration of complicity, alleging that the suspended lawmakers are being used to push for Fubara’s impeachment as part of a broader plan to seize control of Rivers State through judicial and political means.
A Call for Resistance
Despite the gravity of the situation, Frank urged Rivers State residents to remain steadfast in their support for Governor Fubara and actively resist any attempts to subvert democracy in the state. He emphasized the Governor’s efforts to protect state resources and uphold constitutional governance, urging the people to stand with him.
Conclusion
Timi Frank’s strong condemnation of the Supreme Court’s ruling highlights significant concerns about the integrity of the judicial process and the potential for political manipulation in Nigeria. His call for accountability and resistance underscores the deep divisions and anxieties surrounding this controversial decision and its potential impact on the political landscape of Rivers State. The allegations of political maneuvering and judicial compromise demand thorough investigation and a careful consideration of their implications for the stability and democratic governance of the nation.
