Human rights lawyer Femi Falana fiercely denied accusations by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike that he misrepresented a Supreme Court ruling on Rivers State’s political crisis, escalating their public feud.
On April 20, 2025, Wike claimed Falana falsely stated that a December 2024 verdict nullified 27 defected lawmakers’ seats, undermining Wike’s influence in Rivers’ assembly. Falana, in a Punch interview, clarified he only referenced the court’s stance on defection penalties under Section 109 of the Constitution, which mandates seat loss for party switchers, and never claimed vacancies.
The ruling upheld Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s budget rights, countering Wike’s allies, per The Guardian. Falana challenged Wike to sue, accusing him of deflecting from Rivers’ ₦200 billion project delays. The feud, rooted in Wike’s 2023 fallout with Fubara, highlights Nigeria’s political volatility, with 15 defections since 2023. Supporters see Falana as defending democracy, while Wike’s camp calls it grandstanding.