PANDEF calls for review of Supreme Court judgement on Rivers allocation

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed deep concern over the implications of the Supreme Court’s judgement, which restricted the Central Bank of Nigeria and other financial institutions from releasing funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to Rivers State government, on the development and welfare of residents in the state, calling for a review.

The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, in a statement decried the the judgment of the Supreme Court as a major setback that unfairly affects the people of Rivers State, who rely on these funds for economic, social, and infrastructural development.

PANDEF National Secretary declared: “Undoubtedly, the primary casualties of this judicial restraint will be the innocent citizens of Rivers State, for whom these funds serve as a lifeline for economic, social growth, and infrastructural development.”

PANDEF protested that Rivers State, being  a vital contributor to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, should not be subjected to financial strangulation because of political crisis.

The group referred the judges of the apex court to the supreme court judgement when the federal government withheld the local government allocations to Lagos State in the Tinuubu administration.

According to PANDEF, “One thing that has come to mind in the midst of this Supreme Court ruling is the withdrawal of the Local Government fund to Lagos State…

“t was widely condemned… oe,therefore,wonders that such repetition would emerge again even in higher magnitude in this 21st century with potentially grave implications for peace and security in the entire Niger Delta.”

The supreme court in its judgement restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until the state reverses all acts of “flagrant disobedience to court orders” in the midst of the political crisis.

The  Court also annulled local government elections in the state.