Traditional ruler and former Niger Delta agitator Asari Dokubo has expressed strong views on the current political situation in Rivers State and questioned the recent Supreme Court decision.
The court’s ruling was denounced by Dokubo, who said it exceeded its constitutional authority.
Despite being the supreme court, he contended that its decision regarding the circumstances in Rivers State did not comply with Nigerian law.
Dokubo made the comments on Monday on the Morning Brief program on Channels TV.
Concerning the Supreme Court’s role in local government elections, he said that cases of this nature ought to be resolved at the High Court rather than the Supreme Court.
Following a Supreme Court decision that suspended federal funding for Rivers State until the budget was properly submitted and accepted by the state parliament, the dispute arose. Additionally, the October 2024 local government election was declared invalid by the court.
Speaking about the problem, Dokubo stated, “What is going on in Rivers State is that one person is trying to take advantage of Rivers State.” In addition, a number of pundits have examined the circumstances in Rivers State and urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to intervene and bring about chaos.
My live broadcast took place on December 12, 2023. In our first actual meeting, Nyesom Wike, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, was heavily favored, and it was extremely skewed. Recently, these live broadcasts have gone viral due to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“I will not refer to the Supreme Court’s announcement as a decision because it contained no information pertaining to Nigerian law. The Nigerian legislation is being completely abused. As everyone is aware, the Supreme Court is meant to be the ultimate arbitrator.
“The Supreme Court’s decisions are final.” Because their verdicts are final, the Supreme Court must therefore presume that they will impose morally reprehensible rulings that are obviously against the Nigerian constitution and the people, even though they do not have such authority. Rivers State is not the only topic we are discussing.
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He questioned whether the Supreme Court had the power to make decisions regarding elections for local governments:
Does the Supreme Court, for example, actually have the authority to rule on matters pertaining to elections for local governments? It is quite obvious. At the court of first instance, a high court, decisions on local government elections are finalized. So, where did the Supreme Court get the authority to rule on elections and post-election cases resulting from the Rivers State elections?
The court was also chastised by Dokubo for rendering decisions on matters that had not been brought before it initially.
The second is how the Supreme Court would discuss and rule on a case that wasn’t before it. Is it possible for the Supreme Court to suddenly start making decisions on cases that weren’t under its purview? The Supreme Court was not asked to decide on the defection problem. Defection is still a matter before the high court. In order to render decisions on such cases, how did the Supreme Court obtain them? Apart from that, there were those working behind the scenes who were telling the Supreme Court what to say.
They have stated it, then. Furthermore, he stated, “I believe the governor accepted the ruling in a hurry.
