Asari Dokubo, a traditional leader and former Niger Delta agitator, has expressed strong views on the current political situation in Rivers State and questioned the recent Supreme Court decision.
Dokubo criticized the court’s ruling, saying it exceeded its constitutional authority.
Despite being the highest court in the land, he contended that the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the circumstances in Rivers State did not conform to Nigerian law.
Dokubo made the comments during Monday’s Morning Brief on Channels TV.
He expressed disapproval of the Supreme Court’s role in local elections, arguing that cases of this nature ought to be resolved at the High Court rather than the Supreme Court.
The dispute stems from a Supreme Court decision that suspended federal funding for Rivers State until the state assembly had given its approval and the budget was properly presented. The October 2024 local government election was likewise declared invalid by the court.
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“What is happening in Rivers State is one individual wanting to pocket Rivers State,” Dokubo said in response to the situation. In addition, numerous analysts have examined the circumstances in Rivers State and urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to intervene and bring about an end to the crisis.
On December 12, 2023, I did a live broadcast. The first actual meeting we had was incredibly slanted and skewed in favor of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister. Due to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, these live broadcasts have gone viral.
Since nothing in the Supreme Court’s statement had anything to do with Nigerian law, I won’t refer to it as a ruling. It is a complete violation of Nigerian law. We are all aware that the Supreme Court is meant to be the ultimate arbitrator.
The Supreme Court’s rulings are final. The Supreme Court must therefore presume that since their rulings are final, they will impose morally reprehensible rulings that are obviously against the Nigerian constitution and the people, even though they do not have such authority. We are discussing more than just Rivers State.
He questioned the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to make decisions regarding elections for local governments:
For example, does the Supreme Court actually have the authority to rule on matters pertaining to elections for local governments? It’s really obvious. The court of first instance, a high court, decides local government election cases. Therefore, where did the Supreme Court get the authority to rule on elections and post-election cases resulting from the Rivers State elections?
Dokubo also chastised the court for rendering decisions on matters that had not been brought before it in the first place.
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Second, how would the Supreme Court discuss a topic and render a decision on a case that wasn’t before it? Does the Supreme Court have the authority to import cases that weren’t before it and begin rendering decisions on them on its own? The Supreme Court was not considering the defection question. The top court is still considering the defection question. So, how did the Supreme Court bring those cases before it so that it could rule on them? Apart from that, the Supreme Court was being told what to say by individuals working behind the scenes.
They’ve stated it, then. Additionally, I believe the governor accepted the ruling in a hurry,” he continued.
