Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has defended his decision to withdraw an appeal related to the 2024 budget, asserting that the matter has lost relevance following the expiration of the budget cycle on December 31, 2024.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, the governor dismissed claims that the Supreme Court ruling was a setback, labeling such narratives as “outdated political propaganda.”
“The appeal is of no useful purpose. The only reasonable thing left to do was to withdraw it and have it dismissed,” Johnson stated. He further emphasized that the Supreme Court merely acknowledged the governor’s voluntary withdrawal, rather than delivering an adverse judgment.
“The Supreme Court is a very busy court. It would be unwise to burden the Honourable Court with academic appeals that hold no practical or utilitarian value. That is the appeal the urchins are celebrating,” the statement read.
Fubara’s decision comes amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, particularly between his administration and allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Sources within Wike’s camp declined to comment on the development, citing the sensitivity of the issue.
While political observers continue to debate the implications of the withdrawal, the Rivers State government maintains that the matter is closed, urging the public to disregard attempts to misrepresent the situation.
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