OSUN DEFENDER reports that the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Federal Government to stop financial allocation to Rivers State until Fubara retraces his steps and presents the budget to the pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule.

The court also nullified the local government election conducted last year by Fubara.

The apex court judgment put the balance of power in the hands of Wike and the lawmakers in the state’s political crisis, which started in October 2023.

However, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, a member of the Rivers State’s Elders Forum and pioneer spokesman for the Pan-Niger Delta

Forum, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, said the state would not succumb to any unnecessary pressure because of the Supreme Court judgment.

Sara-Igbe, who is also the National Coordinator

of the South-South Elders Forum, said, “Well, Rivers State will not succumb to unnecessary pressure. Rivers State cannot succumb to somebody who wants to take

over the state and we cannot beg anybody in this matter.

“The Federal Government and the Supreme Court want to know

what will happen. At the appropriate time, they will see what will happen.”

When asked if elders of the state would advise Fubara to beg Wike and the 27 lawmakers, Sara-Igbe said, “We will not.”