Wike Dares Atiku, Bala Mohammed: ‘Will You Stand By Fubara After Supreme Court Judgment?

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ridiculed the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, over their backing of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike questioned whether Atiku and Mohammed would continue to praise Fubara for disregarding court rulings, as they previously did, following the Supreme Court’s decision against the Rivers State government.

Reacting to the Supreme Court ruling that directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to halt fund allocations to the Rivers State government, Wike stated that the judgment signaled an end to impunity in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, he remarked:

“This is what happens in this country—when you speak the truth, some resort to blackmail. But for me, this is a victory for Rivers people and Nigerians. It confirms that impunity must end. Enough is enough.

“You all recall the controversy surrounding the local government elections. A duly elected governor, who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, openly dismissed a court ruling as corrupt.

“But today, we thank God that the Supreme Court has spoken. It has declared that without a proper budget, no funds should be released. The Central Bank and the Accountant General cannot continue disbursing money when there is no legally recognized government. Until the governor presents a budget to the rightful Assembly—the 27 lawmakers—no funds should be allocated.

“This same governor ignored the Electoral Act while conducting local government elections. When INEC refused to release the voter register due to noncompliance with court orders, he insisted on going ahead, and some Nigerians applauded him.

“Atiku and others hailed his actions then. I hope they will do the same today. I hope the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum will also stand by him now.

“The Supreme Court has made it clear—enough is enough. We must not allow democracy to be undermined. If this had been tolerated, tomorrow, a single lawmaker could claim to constitute an entire Assembly, and no one would be able to stop it.