Obi Condemns Funds Release To Rivers Administrator Despite Supreme Court Order

Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the release of funds to the sole administrator of Rivers State, despite a standing Supreme Court order barring such action.

Obi, in a post on his X handle on Monday, described the move as “a brazen disobedience and disregard” for the rule of law and our democratic principles.

He said, “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.”

The Supreme Court had barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from releasing the funds until a properly constituted House of Assembly passes a valid appropriation act.

However, the funds were released to the sole administrator, sparking widespread criticism.

Obi argued that the decision undermines the authority of the Supreme Court and sets a dangerous precedent.

“The CBN and AGF, institutions meant to uphold the law, should not be complicit in this disregard for our judiciary,” he stated.

He emphasised that the issue goes beyond Rivers State, stressing that it is about protecting Nigeria’s democracy and upholding the principles that bind the nation together.

“We cannot build a nation where those who swore oaths to uphold our constitution and obey the laws are doing the opposite,” Obi warned.

The former presidential candidate urged Nigerians to choose to do the right thing and respect the law, emphasizing that a new Nigeria is possible if the country upholds its democratic principles.

“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. 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,” he said.