The Nigerian government has withheld Rivers State’s October allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), heightening tensions between Governor Simi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Bawa Mokwa, spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), confirmed the suspension on Friday, November 22, explaining that the government is complying with a ruling by the Federal High Court.
The October 30 decision by Justice Abdulmalik had prohibited both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the federal government from disbursing funds to the state.
Mokwa clarified, “The October 2024 FAAC has not been released yet. The Federal Government is adhering to the court order regarding Rivers State’s allocation. Unless a different directive is issued, the situation will remain unchanged.”
The freeze comes after a lawsuit filed by the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State Assembly, which claims that Governor Fubara’s administration had disregarded a court order to resubmit the 2024 appropriation bill to the legislature.
The Amaewhule faction, believed to be aligned with Wike, accuses the state executive of undermining legislative authority.
Tensions between Fubara and Wike have escalated since the former took office, further straining the political landscape in the state.
The Amaewhule faction, backed by Wike, is engaged in a contentious battle for control of the Rivers State Assembly, exacerbating the political crisis. Mokwa assured the public that the federal government is proceeding cautiously in this matter.
“The process of disbursing the October 2024 allocation is ongoing, but due diligence will be exercised in the case of Rivers State,” he stated.
