Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed serious concerns on Wednesday regarding recent court actions that could spark tension in Rivers State. Atiku’s remarks followed a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, where Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold financial allocations to the Rivers State Government until a lawful appropriation act is passed by a properly constituted House of Assembly. This decision was driven by a lawsuit from a factional pro-Wike House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, challenging the legitimacy of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the state’s 2024 budget to an incomplete assembly.

Atiku criticized the ruling, describing it as an attempt by forces aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to interfere in Rivers State’s affairs and influence the judiciary. According to a statement issued by Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, he questioned the timing and motive behind Justice Abdulmalik’s ruling, especially since Rivers State had already appealed a Court of Appeal decision deeming the budget illegal. This appeal was intended to allow the Supreme Court to weigh in on the matter.

Atiku praised Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for taking steps to address these issues and urged her to hold accountable any judges involved in unethical conduct. He expressed concern that political interference is undermining Nigeria’s judiciary, as seen in disputes such as the emirship case in Kano and the legal battles in Rivers, which could lead to destabilization. Atiku noted the potential damage this trend could inflict on Nigeria’s image, warning that foreign investors might hesitate to invest in a country where judicial rulings are swayed by political interests. He also cautioned that without immediate reforms, Nigeria risks devolving into a lawless state, where confidence in the justice system erodes, and citizens may feel forced to take matters into their own hands. Atiku urged the judiciary to uphold its integrity, emphasizing that Nigeria’s national interest must take precedence over any political ambitions.