The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, has condemned as unconstitutional the recent judgment by an Abuja-based federal high court directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cease federal allocations to Rivers State.

Professor Okaba, who described the judgment as a result of “judicial rascality” and an abuse of fundamental principles of federalism, voiced his concerns during the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) in Warri, Delta State.

He called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to exercise caution in addressing the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, warning that if the alleged injustice, oppression, and abuse of power against the state’s governor continued unchecked, the consequences could be severe.

His words: “Mr. Chairman of this occasion, permit me again to use this auspicious occasion to advise the Tinubu-led federal Government to be very cautious in managing the crisis in Rivers State. We feel obliged to warn again and again that if the injustice, oppression and abuse of power perpetrated against the Governor of Rivers State continues unchecked, the consequences might be very grievous.

“The recent Abuja based federal high court judgment directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop Federal allocations to the State can be best described as the product of judicious rascality. It is equally unconstitutional and a flagrant abuse of basic principles of federalism. When you attempt to deny a state (not just any State but Rivers State with her enormity in all ramifications). We maybe will fast forwarding the declaration of the Late Governor of Bayelsa State Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha that ‘When you deny the people their inalienable right to their God given wealth you should be getting ready to beg to obtain 1% of the same resources/allocation.’

“This judgment is in its entirety is condemnable and provocative. However, the ljaw National Congress beckons on all members of Congress and lovers of peace and justice to remain calm and steadfast in their prayers and support for Governor Siminilayi Fubara and the ljaw Nation. This madness of a judgment will not stand the test of time because 20 years ago, the Supreme Court of this same country declined an application to withhold allocations to Lagos State.”

Professor Okaba also urged Ijaw Women Connect to join the INC in appealing to the federal government to address the pressing issues facing the Ijaw people, including pervasive hardship, environmental degradation, economic exploitation, and socio-political marginalisation.

©CDA News