Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Rivers State’s 2024 budget process. In a video shared by TVC, Wike highlighted recent judicial rulings that invalidated the budget presentation by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to a faction of just four lawmakers in the state assembly.
According to Wike, the Federal High Court found the budget presentation and subsequent approval by four out of the 32 assembly members unconstitutional. The court emphasized that such actions undermine the democratic principles enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.
Wike explained that the Appeal Court upheld the Federal High Court’s decision, reinforcing the need for legislative processes to involve the full assembly. He stated that the court viewed the participation of only a minority of lawmakers in passing a state budget as a severe breach of democratic norms, warning that such practices could set a dangerous precedent for governance in Nigeria.
“The court said we are in a constitutional democracy. You want us to sit and watch you use three or four people to pass a budget for you in an assembly of 32 seats? The court said no, you don’t do this. Even when this matter was before us, we gave judgment, yet you went ahead with just four people,” Wike remarked.
He further elaborated that the situation had worsened, with one of the four lawmakers now absent, reducing the number to three. Wike criticized this development, calling it an affront to democratic integrity. “Tomorrow, it could be two, and the next day, just one. The Appeal Court rightly called this a joke taken too far,” he said.
The minister’s comments add to the growing scrutiny of Rivers State’s legislative processes under Governor Fubara, with many stakeholders calling for a return to constitutional governance practices.
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