The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the state of emergency declared in Rivers State does not exceed the designated six-month period.
As this timeframe progresses, the former local council chairpersons in Rivers have expressed their support for the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In light of this, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has called on Tinubu to reconsider the emergency declaration in Rivers and instead establish a committee aimed at reconciling the conflicting parties within the state.
He has appealed to both the President and the National Assembly to form a committee of distinguished individuals to promptly intervene, restore peace, and reinstate the legally elected government in Rivers.
Additionally, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has urged the Federal Government to reassess its actions and honor the autonomy of the Rivers populace.
A report released yesterday indicates that the emergency declaration in Rivers and the suspension of democratic governance could severely impact Nigeria’s oil production, intensifying economic challenges.
Mr. Blessing Akinlosotu, Executive Director of NCSCN, who provided this counsel to Tinubu during a briefing in Abuja, also called for the lifting of the embargo imposed on the state within a three-month timeframe.
“We call on the Federal Government to ensure the state of emergency does not extend beyond the stipulated six-month period. If possible, it should be terminated within three months and ensure that no one is victimised, especially from the Fubara end. All parties should be given fair treatment, hearing and level grounds in protecting their various political interests.”
He stated that the committee should be tasked with identifying key stakeholders and interest groups involved in the crisis, facilitating their engagement in a safe and supportive environment, gathering essential data and insights that will contribute to a sustainable and broadly acceptable resolution, and ultimately providing fair and feasible recommendations aimed at resolving the crisis and establishing a new era of peace, unity, and progress in Rivers State.
The former chairpersons representing all 23 local councils expressed their disapproval of the emergency rule in the state, labeling it as regrettable. During a briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday, former Councillor for Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Echemati, spoke on behalf of the former chairpersons.
He acknowledged Fubara’s initiatives to foster peace and stability in the state, underscoring their dedication to supporting him during this difficult time.
Diri argued that the crisis in Rivers could be addressed through dialogue, asserting that the Ijaw ethnic group is not in conflict with the President or the Federal Government.
The Bayelsa governor made this appeal yesterday at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the Ijaw National Congress, held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa. He stated, “again, l restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for people of Rivers. l urge the President and the National Assembly to waste no time in inaugurating a committee of eminent personalities that will immediately intervene and bring back peace and the constituted government of Rivers State back to office.
“The South South Governors’ Forum, of which I am chairman, had urged the President to reconsider his stance and allow for dialogue among the parties. However, the Ijaw nation is not in conflict with the Federal Government nor do we have any dispute with President Tinubu.”
In his welcome address, Okaba expressed gratitude to the Ijaw community, Niger Deltans, Nigerians, and the international community for their steadfast support for justice and fairness amid the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State.
He emphasized that the imposition of emergency rule and the potential suspension of any governor by President Tinubu, regardless of the justification, represents a significant violation of the principles of justice, democratic governance, and the integrity of the people’s mandate.
He pointed out that the violations of the rights of the Ijaw people in Rivers, who have been deprived of the governorship for over 24 years, transcend partisan politics and pose a fundamental challenge to the constitutional framework that safeguards the rights and economic well-being of all Nigerian citizens.
The INC leader also called on the federal government to reassess its actions and honor the sovereignty of the people of Rivers. In her keynote speech, rights activist Ms. Annkio Briggs remarked that the ancestors of the Ijaw nation, including figures like King Koko of Nembe, King Jaja of Opobo, and Isaac Adaka Boro, who fought for the rights of their descendants, anticipated the current situation. She asserted that it is now the duty of the people to protect and enhance what they hold dear.
According to the Nigeria Energy Outlook for the second quarter of 2025 (Q2 2025) published by the Society of Energy Editors, rising incidents of pipeline vandalism and militant activities could result in operational disruptions, logistical difficulties for oil workers, and force majeure declarations by major companies such as Shell and TotalEnergies.
“If unrest escalates, Nigeria could lose between 100,000 and 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the second quarter of 2025, further straining government revenue. This comes as Nigeria’s crude oil output remains below its OPEC quota of approximately 1.5 million bpd in Q1 2025,” it stated.
Although the government aims to increase production to 1.8 million barrels per day by mid-year, significant challenges remain due to security issues, outdated infrastructure, and the continued withdrawal of international oil companies (IOCs).
Given the precarious outlook for oil production, along with increased security threats and economic challenges, it was noted that Nigeria’s capacity to achieve its growth objectives by the second quarter of 2025 will rely on enhanced security measures in the Niger Delta, the resolution of crude supply conflicts, and ongoing policy reforms within the energy sector. The Society of Energy Editors has emphasized the critical risks for the upcoming quarter.
