Rivers State Crisis: Niger Delta Groups Threaten Violence as Political Tensions Escalate

Tensions in Rivers State have reached a boiling point as Niger Delta groups issue fresh threats of violence over local government (LG) revenue allocations and the state’s 2024 budget. The Niger Delta Development Force (NDDF), a militant group, has warned against any judicial attempt to halt the disbursement of funds to the state’s 23 local government councils.

The group alleged that such a move was orchestrated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whom they accused of manipulating federal institutions to undermine Rivers state Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration. They cautioned that any court ruling blocking LG allocations would be met with resistance, including the targeting of vital oil facilities across the Niger Delta. The NDDF stressed that past conflicts had led to widespread destruction of oil infrastructure and warned that further hostilities could cripple Nigeria’s oil economy.

Ogoni Group Issues 14-Day Ultimatum to PDP, Tinubu

Similarly, the Ogoni Development Drive (ODD) has given the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the political impasse in Rivers State. The group also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that if Wike’s alleged interference was not addressed, they would mobilize against the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

The ODD accused Wike of attempting to use federal courts in Abuja to seize LG allocations, describing such a move as detrimental to the Rivers state’s governance and stability. They emphasized that the crisis had the potential to escalate into widespread unrest if not urgently addressed. The group also lamented the continued environmental and economic challenges in the Niger Delta, linking them to corruption within the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (Hyprep), which had failed to effectively manage the cleanup of polluted sites in the region.

Ijaw Groups Vow to Resist Fubara’s Impeachment

Adding to the growing tensions, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) have declared their readiness to resist any attempts to remove Governor Fubara from office. The groups warned that his impeachment would destabilize the Niger Delta and severely impact oil production in the region.

Their warning follows the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, demanding that Fubara resubmit the 2025 budget for approval. The Assembly’s directive came after the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which reaffirmed its legitimacy while also nullifying the October 5, 2024, local government elections.

INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, condemned the impeachment threats, warning that the Ijaw people would not tolerate any attempts to undermine the first riverine governor in decades. He criticized the Supreme Court ruling, arguing that it failed to recognize the historical contributions and sacrifices of the Ijaw people in Rivers State politics.

Niger Delta Youths Warn of Economic Disruption

The Ijaw Youth Council, through its Worldwide President, Dr. Theophilus Alaye, faulted the Supreme Court’s verdict and accused Wike of manipulating the judiciary to destabilize the state. The IYC described the ruling as provocative and unfair, citing the fact that other states had used the same 2023 INEC voter register for their LG elections without facing nullification.

Alaye warned that any forceful removal of Governor Fubara would be met with stiff resistance, as the IYC and other youth groups in the region would not allow Rivers State to be plunged into chaos. He further stated that any attempt to starve the state of its revenue allocation would be met with economic sabotage, hinting at the possibility of shutting down crude oil production.

Security Agencies on High Alert as Rivers State Crisis Deepens

Amid the rising threats, security agencies are monitoring the situation closely. However, when contacted regarding the threats by Niger Delta groups, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, declined to comment and referred inquiries to the Commissioner of Police. Attempts to reach the Commissioner, Olugbenga Adepoju, were unsuccessful.

Similarly, the Nigerian Navy and Army distanced themselves from the crisis, with the Navy spokesperson, Cmdr. A. Adams-Aliu, stating that the military would continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities. The 6 Division Army Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, described the issue as a political matter.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced plans to conduct a fresh local government election following the Supreme Court’s nullification of the previous exercise. A stakeholders’ meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2025, where new election guidelines and a timetable will be unveiled.

With tensions at an all-time high, stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to prevent the crisis from spiraling out of control. The coming days will be crucial in determining the political and economic stability of Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta region