Rivers Unrest: Militant Group Issues Deadline, Vows to Halt Oil Production

PORT HARCOURT – Tensions have escalated in Rivers State as the militant group, Niger Delta Rescue Movement (NDRM), has warned the Federal Government not to withhold the state’s allocation or face a total cut in oil production.

The group has also advised all non-indigenes to consider their safety and leave Rivers State, as hostilities are expected to escalate.

NDRM stated that if the Federal Government and all relevant parties do not take necessary actions to de-escalate the situation, they will disrupt the nation’s oil production if the allocation due to the state is not released promptly.

The Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court’s decision to suspend the state allocation until a valid House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, is constituted.

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Amaewhule issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget before the House. That deadline expired on Wednesday at midnight.

On the same day, the Amaewhule-led House directed the state governor to dismiss all commissioners and political appointees, resubmitting a list of new commissioner nominees for screening.

A trending video on social media showed a group of militants armed with AK-47s and other assorted rifles in an unknown forest chanting “asana, asana,” a common slogan among the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta region.

A supposed leader of the group declared in a letter he read: “We, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, wish to express our deep concern regarding recent developments in Rivers State that threaten the smooth governance of our beloved state under Governor Fubara.

“It has come to our attention that certain individuals, who claim to be lawmakers, have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state governor to present the 2025 state budget. This blatant attempt to destabilize the state is alarming and appears to be a coordinated effort to incite chaos, potentially leading to a state of emergency or even impeachment.

“We call on President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately and stop the actions of the minister, Nyesom Wike, and his associates, whose intent is to drag Rivers State into an avoidable crisis. The people of Rivers State desire stability, progress, and a conducive environment for governance.

“Furthermore, we must make it clear that the youth of Rivers State will not sit idly by while our state is plunged into turmoil. If the federal allocation due to Rivers State is not released promptly, we will have no choice but to take decisive action, including disrupting oil production.”

The three-minute, 28-second video also featured the militants stating, “We can’t generate money for the Federation Account and not receive our fair share. Our workers deserve their salaries, and our government needs the necessary resources to carry out essential development projects.”

They further urged non-indigenes to leave the state for their safety, stating, “We urge all non-indigenes in Rivers State to consider their safety and leave the state promptly, as the situation may escalate. We value the safety of all residents and call for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Enough is enough. We stand united for the present and future of Rivers State. We demand respect from our leaders and a focus on the development of our region.”

**CISLAC Claims Actions Against Fubara Are Treasonous**

Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has characterized recent actions against Governor Fubara as treasonous.

Legal Manager of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) at CISLAC, Mr. Gimba Hassan, stated in a press release from Abuja, “I believe that some of the actions against Fubara contain elements of treason under Section 37 of the Criminal Code Act and treasonable felony under Section 40 of the same Act.

“When you examine the use of violence against the governor, the burning of the State House of Assembly, the withdrawal of his security, and the deployment of thugs to take control of local government councils during elections, it becomes evident that these acts were intended to intimidate and overpower the governor, which falls within the legal definitions of treason and treasonable felony.

“This is particularly concerning in a country where even peaceful protests by minors are sometimes treated as treason,” Hassan remarked.

He added that the Rivers State House of Assembly’s 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the budget was unlawful and lacked legal backing.

Citing the El-Rufai vs. House of Representatives (2003) case and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, he explained that a minimum of seven days’ notice is required for a valid legislative summons.

He emphasized that the 48-hour ultimatum violated established legal and parliamentary procedures.

“With its ruling, the Supreme Court has effectively stalled the processing of the state allocation.”