Panic grips Rivers State as the dreaded militant group, Niger Delta Rescue Movement (NDRM), issues a chilling ultimatum, warning non-indigenes to leave the state immediately as tensions escalate. The group has also threatened to cripple the nation’s oil production unless the federal government intervenes swiftly in the ongoing political crisis.
At the heart of the turmoil is a fierce power struggle triggered by a recent Supreme Court ruling, which upheld a lower court’s decision to halt Rivers State’s federal allocation until a duly recognized House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, is constituted. The ruling has intensified the standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his political rival, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a bold move, Amaewhule issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Monday, demanding that Governor Fubara present the 2025 state budget before the Assembly. That deadline expired at midnight on Wednesday, further heightening tensions.
In a viral video circulating on social media, a group of heavily armed militants, clad in combat gear and brandishing AK-47s and other sophisticated rifles, were seen in a dense forest, chanting the Ijaw slogan “Asana, Asana.” Their leader, reading from a letter, vowed that the group would not stand by while Rivers State plunged into chaos.
> “We, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, wish to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing crisis threatening the governance of our beloved state under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.”
The militant leader accused certain politicians of orchestrating a deliberate plan to destabilize Rivers State, alleging that their goal is to create an environment ripe for a state of emergency or even impeachment.
“This blatant attempt to incite crisis will not be tolerated. We call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately intervene and stop the actions of Minister Nyesom Wike and his associates, whose intent is to drag Rivers State into turmoil.”
The militants further issued a grave economic warning, stating that if the federal allocation due to Rivers State is not released, they will cripple oil production, a move that could send shockwaves across the nation’s economy.
> “The youths of Rivers State will not sit idly while our state is deprived of its rightful resources. If our funds are withheld, we will have no choice but to take decisive action, including shutting down oil production.”
The 3-minute, 28-second video also featured militants declaring that Rivers State cannot continue to generate revenue for the federal government while being denied its fair share.
> “We cannot contribute billions to the federation account without receiving our due allocation. Our workers need their salaries, and our government requires resources for essential development projects. If the federal government refuses to do what is right, we will respond accordingly.”
As tensions reach a boiling point, all eyes are on President Bola Tinubu and his administration. Will the federal government act swiftly to defuse the crisis, or will Rivers State descend into a full-scale political and economic upheaval? With militants now openly threatening oil installations, the stakes have never been higher.
PIONEER NEWS 