Wike vs. Fubara: Federal Government Withholds October FAAC Allocation to Rivers State

The Nigerian government has confirmed the suspension of the October Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue payment to Rivers State, amid the ongoing political dispute between Governor Simi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

This development was disclosed by Bawa Mokwa, spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), in a statement to Daily Post. The suspension aligns with a court order barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian government from disbursing the funds to the state.

The Nigerian government had earlier announced the approval of ₦1.1411 trillion for October FAAC distribution to federal, state, and local governments. However, Rivers State’s allocation remains on hold due to legal proceedings initiated by the factional Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.

Justice Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court issued an order on October 30, prohibiting the disbursement of Rivers State’s FAAC allocation. This legal move stems from the state government’s failure to comply with a prior court ruling, which directed Governor Fubara’s administration to re-submit the 2024 budget to the Amaewhule-led faction of the state assembly for approval.

Mokwa confirmed that while FAAC disbursement for October was still in progress, the OAGF would adhere to the court’s directive regarding Rivers State. “The Federal Government will obey the court order on the matter of Rivers State allocation. We will follow due diligence unless there is a contrary ruling,” Mokwa stated.

The political tensions between Fubara and Wike, his predecessor, have fueled a deepening crisis in Rivers State. Wike, now a minister in the federal cabinet, is reportedly backing the Amaewhule faction in its challenge to the Fubara-led administration. This power struggle has disrupted governance in the state, compounding the legal and financial impasse over the FAAC allocation.