Rivers Crisis: Militant Group Threatens Oil Production Amidst Political Tensions

Tensions in Rivers State have escalated as the Niger Delta Rescue Movement (NDRM), a militant group, has warned the federal government against withholding the state’s allocation. The group threatened to halt oil production if the issue was not resolved swiftly.

In a dramatic move, the militants issued a directive urging non-indigenes to leave the state, warning of impending hostilities. They insisted that unless the federal government and political stakeholders took immediate action to resolve the crisis, they would take matters into their own hands.

The crisis stems from a recent Supreme Court ruling, which upheld a lower court’s decision to suspend the release of the state’s allocation until the Rivers State House of Assembly is properly constituted under Speaker Martin Amaewhule. In response to the ruling, Amaewhule gave Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget to the House. The deadline expired at midnight on Wednesday. Additionally, the House ordered Fubara to dismiss all commissioners and political appointees and submit a fresh list of nominees for screening.

A viral video circulating on social media showed eight armed militants in a forest, chanting “asawana,” a slogan common among the Ijaw people. The group’s leader, reading from a letter, condemned the political turmoil in Rivers State and called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene. He accused former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of fueling the crisis.

The militants warned that if the federal government failed to release Rivers State’s allocation promptly, they would disrupt oil production, stating, “We can’t generate money into the Federation Account and not receive our share. Our workers deserve their salaries, and our government needs resources for development.”

The group also urged non-indigenes to consider their safety and leave Rivers State, stating, “We cherish the safety of all residents and urge a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Enough is enough. We demand respect from our leaders and focus on the development of our region.”

Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has described the actions against Governor Fubara as treasonable. Legal Manager of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Gimba Hassan, argued that acts such as the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly, withdrawal of the governor’s security, and the use of thugs to take over local government councils constituted treason under Nigerian law.

Hassan also criticized the Assembly’s 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the budget, calling it unlawful. He cited legal precedents requiring a minimum of seven days’ notice for such a directive. He further condemned the Assembly’s decision to go on a 12-week recess, warning that it would worsen the governance crisis in the state.

As tensions mount, calls for a resolution continue to grow. Observers fear that without urgent intervention, the crisis could lead to further instability in Rivers State, with significant consequences for Nigeria’s oil production and economy.