Youths in the Niger Delta have reacted angrily to the Supreme Court judgment on Rivers State, saying that the judiciary was stocking anarchy in the state by ordering that the state should be getting zero allocation from federation account.
The youths under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Youth Empowerment Forum(PANDYEF) led by Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu said “the shocking verdict” of the apex Court “ordering seizure of Rivers allocation is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people”.
PANDYEF in a statement, signed by uts spokesman, Mazi Chika Art Adiele, said that the judgment of the apex Court was “capable of truncating the peace and sustainable development being provided by the Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
“The apex Niger Delta Youths body, is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor.
“We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria. It is an invitation for war and against equity, justice and fair play,” the group said.
PANDYEF also condemned the order of the Supreme Court nullifying the Rivers Local Government Election, describing it as “reckless and vindictive”.
It noted that with the judgement the Justices of the Supreme Court appeared to have “positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiter of justice”.
“It must be noted that the principle of democracy is surely rooted on sound constitutional pronouncement with a view to establishing justice.
“Therefore any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta Youths,” PANDYEF stated.
While insisting that the judiciary should “let justice prevail”, the group warned that “.8(:we cannot be cowed neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals”.
The youths pointed out that the Supeeme Court verdict reprents “war against constitutional democracy”, adding that the judiciary should be held “responsible for any breakdown of law in Rivers State”.
“We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” the Niger Delta Youths said.