Tensions in Rivers State have reached a boiling point as prominent Ijaw groups, including the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), issued a stern warning against any attempt to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The groups declared their readiness to defend Fubara’s mandate, cautioning that such a move could destabilize the Niger Delta and disrupt oil production in the region.
The warning comes in response to a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, demanding that Fubara resubmit the 2025 budget for approval. This ultimatum follows a Supreme Court judgment on February 28, 2025, which reaffirmed the Assembly’s legitimacy and nullified the October 5, 2024, local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The court also ordered the seizure of state allocations, further escalating the political crisis.
The Assembly, at its first sitting after the judgment on March 3, 2025, directed Fubara to present the budget within 48 hours, threatening consequences if he fails to comply. The ultimatum expires on March 5, 2025. The Assembly also criticized Fubara’s directive for Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the affairs of the 23 council headquarters, calling it unconstitutional.
Ijaw Groups Issue Strong Warning
In a strongly worded statement, INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba condemned the impeachment threats, warning that the Ijaw people would not stand by while their first riverine governor in decades is undermined. He criticized the Supreme Court ruling for failing to acknowledge the historical and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in Rivers State’s governance.
“If Governor Fubara’s tenure is truncated by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly or anybody else, the INC cannot guarantee the sustenance of the current peace in the Niger Delta, nor the continued rise in oil production,” Okaba stated. He emphasized that any attempt to remove Fubara would have dire consequences for national peace and economic stability, particularly in the oil-rich region.
The IYC echoed these sentiments, with its President Worldwide, Dr. Theophilus Alaye, warning those plotting to use the Supreme Court judgment to destabilize Rivers State to tread carefully. “Any forceful attempt to remove Fubara from office will be resisted by the IYC and other youths in the Niger Delta,” Alaye said. He also criticized the Supreme Court’s nullification of the local government elections, calling it “provocative and laughable.”
Historical Context and Political Sacrifices
Okaba recalled the significant contributions of Ijaw leaders to Rivers State’s political history, including their role in securing victories for past governors like Dr. Peter Odili and Sir Celestine Omehia. He lamented that despite these sacrifices, the Ijaw people continue to face political marginalization, not only in Rivers State but also in other Niger Delta states like Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.
“The Ijaw nation will defend Fubara with every pint of blood in their veins,” Okaba vowed, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent the crisis from escalating.
Economic and Security Implications
The IYC Eastern Zone warned that any attempt to subvert Fubara’s government could lead to severe economic consequences, including disruptions to crude oil production. “If Rivers State is starved of its economic rights, we will also starve the economy of Nigeria,” the group stated, hinting at potential retaliatory actions.
Security agencies, including the Nigerian Navy and Army, have remained cautious in their responses. While the Navy affirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and protecting oil installations, the Army described the situation as a political matter requiring careful handling.
RSIEC Plans Rerun of Local Government Elections
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s nullification of the 2024 local government elections, the RSIEC announced plans to hold a stakeholders’ meeting on March 5, 2025, to unveil a new timetable and guidelines for a rescheduled poll. The meeting will include leaders of registered political parties, traditional rulers, security agencies, and civil society groups.
Meanwhile, former local government chairmen who were sacked in 2015 have vowed to resume office, citing the Appeal Court’s recent ruling in their favor. They argued that the Supreme Court’s judgment created vacancies in the councils, making them the rightful occupants of the positions.
Calls for Peace and Dialogue
Amid the rising tensions, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, called for peaceful engagement to address grievances. “Time for agitation is over. Now is the time to engage the government with intellectual agitation,” he said, urging community leaders to embrace dialogue and conflict resolution.
However, some stakeholders, including the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Oladimeji, dismissed the NDDC’s efforts as insufficient, accusing the commission of neglecting host communities and contributing to unrest in the region.