The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed deep concern over the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the disbursement of funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to Rivers State.
This ruling has effectively cut off the state’s access to vital funds, which are crucial for economic growth, social development, and infrastructure projects.
PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, in a statement on Saturday, appealed to the Supreme Court to revisit its decision, citing the potential harm it could cause to the people of Rivers State, who have consistently contributed to Nigeria’s economic growth through the oil and gas sector.
Dr. Ominimini emphasized that depriving the state of its rightful allocations would impose unwarranted hardship on its citizens.
According to him, the Supreme Court’s ruling has also hindered PANDEF’s peace-building initiatives in the region, particularly the reconciliatory efforts led by the Obong Victor Attah-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
“PANDEF reaffirms its unwavering advocacy for dialogue, justice, and sustainable development.
“We call upon all relevant stakeholders—including the Federal Government, political actors, and the judiciary—to ensure that the people of Rivers State are not unduly victimized by avoidable political contentions.
“The sanctity of governance demands that economic imperatives supersede political rivalries for the greater good of the nation”, he said.
He drew parallels with a similar incident in 2004, when the Federal Government withheld local government funds from Lagos State during the administration of Governor Bola Tinubu.
PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary warned that a repetition of such actions could have severe implications for peace and security in the Niger Delta region.
“One thing that has come to mind in the midst of this Supreme Court ruling is the withdrawal of the Local government fund to Lagos State during the Administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State by then President Olusengun Obasanjo. It was widely condemned by Nigerians and the international communities.
“One therefore wonders that such repetition would emerge again even in higher magnitude in this 21st century with potentially grave implications for peace and security in the entire Niger Delta”, he said.