The people of Rivers State are bearing the brunt of a political storm and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) is not staying silent.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday to uphold a Federal High Court’s decision directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend funds meant for the state’s local government areas, PANDEF has called for a reconsideration of the judgment.
In a passionate statement issued the same day by its spokesperson, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the group expressed deep dismay, warning that this decision would cripple the economic and social welfare of the state’s citizens.
“The biggest casualties of this decision are the innocent citizens of Rivers State,” Ominimini said. “These funds are crucial for economic growth, social welfare, and infrastructural development. Stalling their disbursement only worsens the hardship faced by the people.”
For Rivers State who is a key contributor to Nigeria’s oil and gas wealth, the financial strangulation is more than just an economic setback. It’s an injustice, PANDEF argues, that punishes a people who have long sustained the nation’s economy.
“Depriving the state of its rightful allocations imposes undue hardship on a people who have consistently contributed to national sustenance,” the statement continued.
This ruling comes at a time when the South-South region has been working tirelessly to maintain peace and foster development. PANDEF fears the court’s decision could undermine ongoing reconciliation efforts led by the Obong Victor Attah-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which has made significant strides in fostering harmony within the state.
While reaffirming its commitment to peace and stability in the Niger Delta, PANDEF made a fervent appeal to the Supreme Court to reconsider its stance, not for political gain, but for the survival and prosperity of the people.
“The South-South region has remained a pillar of peace and a vital component of Nigeria’s economy,” Ominimini stressed. “Judicial and political institutions must handle such matters with fairness, wisdom, and foresight.”
The group also called on the Federal Government, political actors, and the judiciary to ensure that the rights and well-being of Rivers State citizens are not sacrificed on the altar of political rivalries.
“The sanctity of governance demands that economic imperatives take precedence over political disputes for the greater good of the nation,” the statement concluded.