Tension is rising in Rivers State as a militant group, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement (NDRM), has threatened to resume hostilities if the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is impeached. The group warned that it would destroy oil pipelines and urged non-indigenes to leave the state for their safety.
In a viral video, a member of the group accused certain lawmakers of trying to destabilize the state. The militant leader stated, “It has come to our attention that some individuals calling themselves lawmakers have given the governor a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget. This is a clear attempt to create chaos and possibly declare a state of emergency or impeachment.”
The militants also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene. The group said, “We urge President Tinubu to stop Nyesom Wike and his associates from dragging Rivers State into a crisis. The people of Rivers want stability and development.”
The group warned that if Rivers State does not receive its share of federal funds, they would have no choice but to attack oil facilities.
“We can’t generate money into the federation account and be denied our share. If our workers don’t get paid and development is hindered, we will take decisive action, including targeting oil production,” the group declared.
The militants further advised non-indigenes to leave the state, saying they could not guarantee their safety. They warned, “We care about all residents, but the situation may escalate. We demand respect from our leaders and focus on the development of our region.”
Stakeholders Raise Concerns
The escalating tension has drawn reactions from stakeholders in the Niger Delta. Joseph Ambakaderimo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Community Development Committees (CDC), warned against allowing the crisis to spiral out of control.
Ambakaderimo said, “The threat from militant groups regrouping must be taken seriously. Destroying is easy, but rebuilding takes time.”
Ambakaderimo emphasized that Nigeria cannot afford another drop in oil production. “Anything less than a million barrels per day cannot sustain government spending. If these threats become real, we could be talking about revenue losses of up to three trillion naira daily,” he cautioned.
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Former Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Peter Esele also raised concerns about the economic impact of renewed militancy.
Esele warned, “This will scare investors away from the region. The government must do everything to prevent these threats from materializing.”
Esele recalled how militant activities in the early 2000s severely affected Nigeria’s economy. He explained, “Back then, their demands were about justice and development, leading to the creation of NDDC, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and the Amnesty Programme. But today’s crisis is driven by selfish political interests.”
He urged security agencies to take action against politicians fueling the crisis. “For our economy to grow, peace must be our priority,” he stated.
Concerns Over Oil Attacks
Fegalo Nsuke, President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), expressed worry about the militants’ threat to attack oil facilities.
Nsuke said, “Denying Rivers State its funds is like shutting down the government. If the government cannot function, law and order will collapse.”
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has promised to mobilize senators from the Niger Delta to intervene. Speaking in Abuja, he warned against uninformed criticisms of the Senate.
He said, “Individuals who do not understand Senate rules should stop attacking the Upper Chamber.”
The Rivers political crisis continues to unfold, with fears that it could escalate into a larger conflict. Many are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further instability in the oil-rich region.