Tensions in Rivers State have escalated dramatically as the Niger Delta Rescue Movement (NDRM) warned the Federal Government against withholding the state’s allocation, threatening to cripple oil production if the funds are not released promptly.
The militant group, known for its vocal campaigns, also directed non-indigenes to leave the state, citing an imminent escalation in hostilities.
This warning follows a recent Supreme Court decision that froze state allocations until a valid House of Assembly—now led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule—is constituted.
In response, Amaewhule issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 state budget before the Assembly, a deadline that expired without resolution.
Additionally, the Assembly ordered the dismissal of current commissioners and political appointees, demanding a fresh list of nominees for screening.
A trending video captured heavily armed militants chanting regional slogans while warning that further political instability would directly impact oil revenues.
Meanwhile, legal experts from the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) have decried the actions against Governor Fubara as bordering on treason, urging all stakeholders to resolve the crisis through dialogue to restore stability and maintain Nigeria’s vital oil production.
