Port Harcourt – The Rivers State Government has fiercely defended Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s decision to withdraw his appeal at the Supreme Court regarding the 2024 state budget, describing it as a “necessary and pragmatic move.”
In an official statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson, assured the public that the decision was not politically motivated but rather rooted in a practical assessment of the situation. Johnson stated that the 2024 budget cycle had concluded on December 31, 2024, making the appeal irrelevant and merely an “academic exercise” with no real-world significance.
“The 2024 budget became spent on the 31st of December 2024 fiscal year. The appeal serves no useful purpose,” Johnson remarked. “The only logical and reasonable course of action was for Governor Fubara to withdraw the appeal and have it dismissed. It was the right thing to do, and we stand by it.”
The dispute over the budget began when the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, was accused of irregularities in the process of presenting the budget. This led to a legal challenge from Governor Fubara’s administration, which sought to have the matter heard by the Supreme Court. However, with the conclusion of the fiscal year and the budget having been fully spent, Johnson explained, the case no longer carried any weight.
Legal Perspective: Why Withdraw Now?
Johnson emphasized that the 2024 budget was implemented and completed within the designated fiscal year, and there were no outstanding issues that warranted the continuation of the case. “The 2024 budget cycle ended on December 31st, and by that date, all funds had been allocated and expended. The budget was no longer an issue,” he said.
He also stressed the Supreme Court’s pivotal role in overseeing matters of national significance and judicial importance, warning against burdening the court with “unnecessary and outdated cases.” “The Supreme Court is a highly respected institution with a heavy caseload, and it would be imprudent to take up their time with cases that no longer have relevance to the current situation,” he said.
In his statement, Johnson made it clear that there was no Supreme Court judgment against the governor, and he rejected what he called “outdated political propaganda” from certain opposition factions who had celebrated the case’s withdrawal.
Political Fallout and Assembly Legitimacy
At the heart of the issue was the question of whether the decision to withdraw the appeal undermined the legitimacy of the state House of Assembly, which had been under scrutiny due to political tensions. Some critics argued that the withdrawal was an attempt to challenge the authority of Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, and suggested that the move weakened the legitimacy of the legislative arm of government.
However, Johnson strongly rejected these claims, reaffirming the legal validity of the House of Assembly and its leadership under Oko-Jumbo. He reiterated that Oko-Jumbo remained the “authentic speaker” and that nothing in Fubara’s decision to withdraw the appeal could change that.
“There is no doubt about the legitimacy of the House of Assembly or the Speaker’s position,” he asserted. “The political noise from some quarters is simply that – noise. We urge the public to ignore these distractions and focus on the real work that the government is doing.”
Political Speculation and the Role of the Opposition
Political observers have noted that the controversy surrounding the budget appeal comes against the backdrop of ongoing political tensions between the state government and opposition factions. Critics of the governor, particularly those from the opposition, have sought to exploit the withdrawal of the appeal for political gain, with some claiming that it signals weakness in the state government’s position.
However, Johnson dismissed these claims, attributing them to “desperate politicians” who were seeking to discredit the government’s actions. “The appeal was withdrawn because there was no need for it. It was not about political posturing, it was a decision based on facts and common sense,” he said. “Those who celebrate the withdrawal as a victory are simply misinformed.”
A Call for Moving Forward
Despite the political wrangling, Johnson called on the people of Rivers State to move beyond the controversy and focus on the developmental goals of the state government. He pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, education reforms, and healthcare initiatives as evidence of the governor’s commitment to improving the lives of the people of Rivers State.
“Our focus has always been on delivering the best possible outcomes for our citizens,” he declared. “The government’s work is ongoing, and we remain committed to achieving our vision for a prosperous Rivers State.”
