Legal expert, Malachy Ugwumadu, has posited that the Supreme Court’s recent decision on the political and financial disputes in Rivers State has provided clarity on the leadership of the state’s House of Assembly and local government administration.
“What for me it represents for the people of Rivers State is that first, there is a settled decision relating to the status of the local government governance in Rivers State,” he said. “There is also the prospect that if compliance, as the governor has assured, now becomes effectual, then there will be a speedy and more effective functioning of those local governments, and the dividends of democracy will be more assured.”
With the governor expressing readiness to comply with the ruling, Ugwumadu stated that the legislative disputes in the House of Assembly have also been resolved. He noted that the court’s validation of Amaewhule’s leadership eliminates the controversy that previously trailed the assembly.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Monday, Ugwumadu described the ruling as a significant step in addressing the ongoing governance issues in the state.
He noted that while the Supreme Court’s ruling is final, it does not prevent discussions or criticisms of the decision. He explained that the court had the ultimate opportunity to settle the legitimacy of the House of Assembly leadership, ruling in favour of Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker.
Additionally, the court ordered the governor to desist from dealing with a five-member faction of the assembly and mandated the withholding of local government funds until the state government re-presents its budget.
“The Supreme Court has taken advantage of that decision and made a consequential order, ordering both the CBN and the Accountant General to put a hold to the disbursement of the funds meant for the local government pending the representation of that budget,” Ugwumadu stated.
On the implementation of the ruling, Ugwumadu highlighted that the court’s decision sets a legal precedent, removing ambiguity on the leadership of local governments in the state. He stressed that the ruling obligates the Rivers State Electoral Commission to conduct fresh local government elections, ensuring legitimate leadership at that level.
On concerns regarding the state budget, Ugwumadu suggested that the legal framework supports focusing on the 2025 budget, should the assembly refuse to consider the 2024 budget.
“For me, I think that the law does not command the impossibilia, lex non impossibilia. So, and most often it does not operate retrospectively, except in certain circumstances. So for me, I think it has to do with the 2025 budget and that is the way to go,” he stated.
