The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Federal Government of Nigeria from giving monthly constitutional allocation to Rivers State Government.

Specifically, the court presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

Justice Abdulmalik stated while delivering the order on Wednesday that further release of monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government is unconstitutional and an aberration.

The court maintained that the previous collection and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by Governor Siminalayi Fubara is a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

The judge anchored his decision on the manner in which Governor Fubara presented the 2024 budget, stressing that the presentation of the fiscal document before a 4-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the Constitutional provision.

He said that Fubara action in implementing unlawful budget smacked gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.

Abdulmalik then stopped the CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

Nigerian Senate has shifted the scheduled screening for ministerial nominees, initially set for today.

The postponement of the exercise to Wednesday is to enable the nominees provide all needed documents as well as allow for sufficient time to complete their documentation and pre-screening processes.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado.

According to Lado, the screening will hold on Wednesday, at 12:00 pm.

Lado, while explaining the reason for the postponement said the scheduled screening of ministerial nominees was shifted by the Senate, adding that it is to allow all nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercises.

He said the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation.

Recall that the Special Adviser to the President had on Monday disclosed in a statement that the screening will hold today.

President Tinubu had written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of appointments of seven ministerial nominees announced in Abuja last Wednesday.

Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and read last Thursday during plenary.

According to the letter, the ministerial nominees were Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; and Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Others were Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Idi Muktar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Rt Hon Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State, Housing; and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State, Education.

President Tinubu in the letter had sought expeditious consideration of his request by the Senate.

The administration of President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have differed over the nation’s economic policies that have impoverished Nigerians since the commencement of the civilian rule.

Obasanjo had in a recent interview with News Central Television, insinuated that Tinubu took office without a strategy and that is why his administration has been embarking on policy summersaults.

He said Tinubu is bereft of plans and workable policies to address the challenges rocking Nigeria.

The presidency however responded, asserting that Obasanjo backed down from enacting crucial economic policies during his tenure that could have aided Nigeria in times of opposition.

The presidency further claimed that the significant reforms Obasanjo hesitated to pursue are now being implemented by President Bola Tinubu for the nation’s benefit.

In a statement from Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajayi defended Tinubu’s policies, emphasizing that the current president is taking the decisive actions that Obasanjo failed to initiate twenty years ago.

Ajayi pointed out that the same “planless” president is now advancing an ambitious economic reform program that Obasanjo had proposed but later abandoned.

The discussion revolves around how both leaders addressed the contentious issue of fuel subsidy removal, a sensitive topic that has historically been avoided due to its potential to provoke unrest.

The contrast between the two leaders reflects the differences in their willingness to tackle this significant issue.

Historically, Obasanjo attempted to fully deregulate the downstream oil sector but ultimately retreated due to strong opposition from labour and civil society groups. He managed only to raise pump prices four times throughout his presidency, failing to implement the reforms that could have generated substantial economic benefits for Nigeria.

In contrast, President Tinubu has shown the courage to proceed with the deregulation policy and redirect the economy to enhance public finance management. This, Ajayi acknowledged, while referencing Obasanjo’s 2003 national address, where he expressed frustration with labour opposition to deregulation.

The presidency noted that had Obasanjo succeeded in deregulation, Nigeria could have avoided significant economic losses and inefficiencies, which continue to affect citizens today.

In rejecting Obasanjo’s claims that Tinubu entered office unprepared, Ajayi argued that the current president recognised the urgent need to confront economic challenges directly.

“Unlike Obasanjo, who left critical tasks unaddressed, Tinubu has actively tackled pressing issues from day one, understanding the weight of leadership responsibilities,” he maintained.