Borve Paago
Universally, under the presidential system, the three arms of government are distinct in their constitutional roles.
The aim is to safeguard not only the rule of law and constitutional democracy but equally to reinforce the hope of the citizens in the governance process and the government itself.
In Nigeria, what obtains is the fusion of power. The rule of law is still an elusive concept.
The dominance and rascality of the executive arm in Nigeria was achieved with the complicity of the legislature who in all ramifications remain subservient to the Executive arm.
The Executive arm cleverly holds sway with control of financial resources. However, the arbiter and adjutant -The judiciary who prior to this era had been the temple of justice has proved itself otherwise.
They have severed the governance process through complicit behaviors, actions, and judicial outcomes and have come under severe condemnation in the media generally.
Thus, when the other two arms emerge through incredible elections, they are confirmed and legitimized by the Judiciary which plays the Big Brother role through the courts. Though many instances abound, see the below scenarios:
Scenario 1: In Bayelsa state, February 2020, Nigeria’s highest temple of Justice sacked the elected governor- David Lyon few hours before his inauguration.
The Governor-Elect was informed of his sack on the parade field as he rehearsed for the swearing-in parade. The judgement unsettled the state, costing the state millions of Naira and attendant violent protests that led to the destruction of properties.
Scenario 2: In Rivers State, March 2025, the judiciary again drew criticisms when it opted to prove that broad daylight could be seen as nighttime in the eyes of the law.
Citizens are awed to know that an existing affidavit, public declarations etc proved baseless in a case of defection of the 27 members of the River State House of Assembly. While similar actions resulted in the sack of parliamentarians in previous cases.
The injustices from the temple of justice that safeguards the justice system of Nigeria is indeed too loud. How else could structural violence be described?
The reactions from the ruling felt across the media space further questioned the integrity of our institutions. For a country already battling with image issues internationally, one expects collaborative actions aimed at rebuilding our lost glory.
In contemplating the possible actions, Rivers State should avoid acts of instability in the already overheated state.
We need to consider the economic loss of the state when the allocations are stopped. The effect on government programs and service delivery in health care at PHC, secondary and tertiary, education, infrastructure improvement, employment generation, impact on pensioners and other senior citizens, the informal sector, security, agriculture and food security, etc.
For a state that feeds the nation’s treasury to be so deprived, this will compound the poverty and unemployment rates in the state. The end result may only be imagined.
The key actors should remind themselves that Rivers State is greater than any individual.
In the words of the Business Day newspaper, “…the Supreme Court’s decision has introduced significant legal and political ramifications for Rivers State.
The legitimacy of the Assembly, the budget process, and the electoral framework remain contentious issues, and further litigation at the respective High Courts continues.
The ultimate resolution and finality of these matters will shape the state’s governance structure and political grounds in the coming months.”
Though Rivers State has recorded significant strides in Internally Generated Revenue, the allocations are needed to clear its invoices and increase the tempo of governance in the state.
