The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for a reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the suspension of allocations to Rivers State.
On Friday, the apex court had upheld a Federal High Court’s decision directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold funds meant for local government areas in Rivers State.
In a statement on the same day by its spokesperson, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF expressed deep concern, stating that the ruling primarily affects the people of Rivers State.
Ominimini stated, ‘PANDEF is profoundly dismayed by the Supreme Court’s pronouncement, which has effectively stalled the disbursement of funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to Rivers State.
‘It is evident that the biggest casualties of this decision are the innocent citizens of Rivers State, for whom these funds are crucial for economic growth, social welfare, and infrastructural development’.
The group emphasised that as a key player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, Rivers State should not suffer financial constraints due to a political dispute that can be amicably resolved.
‘Depriving the state of its rightful allocations imposes undue hardship on a people who have consistently contributed to national sustenance’, he added.
While reaffirming its commitment to peace and reconciliation in the Niger Delta, PANDEF urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its stance in the interest of economic stability, social justice and national unity.
‘The South-South region has remained a pillar of peace and a vital component of Nigeria’s economy. It is, therefore, crucial for judicial and political institutions to handle such matters with fairness, wisdom, and foresight’, he stated.
PANDEF noted that the ruling undermines ongoing peace-building efforts spearheaded by the Obong Victor Attah-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which has made significant strides in fostering harmony within the state.
Reaffirming its stance on dialogue, justice, and sustainable development, PANDEF called on the Federal Government, political actors, and the judiciary to ensure that the people of Rivers State are not unfairly affected by political disputes.
‘The sanctity of governance demands that economic imperatives take precedence over political rivalries for the greater good of the nation’, the statement added.
