Ijaw groups threaten to shut down oil production over plot to impeach Fubara

• Urge Tinubu to caution Amaewhule-led Assembly
• State electoral commission prepares for LG polls

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, and the Ijaw National Congress (INC) have expressed concern over the current tense political situation in Rivers State, threatening to shut down oil productions in Niger Delta if Governor Siminalayi Fubara is impeached.

The groups noted that the 48-hour ultimatum issued to the governor by the Martins Amawhule-led House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget is a clear indication of an orchestrated effort to create chaos and potentially impeach the governor.

Recall that during a resumed sitting after the Supreme Court judgment, the Amaewhule-led Assembly, on Monday, gave Fubara 48 hours to represent the 2025 budget, and the ultimatum is expected to elapse on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

The IYC, in a statement by its Chairman, Prince Datolu Sukubo, and Secretary, Tamunokuro Dango, therefore, urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to intervene immediately and halt the ongoing crisis threatening to plunge the state into an avoidable crisis.

The group said that such instability would have severe repercussions, not only for Rivers State’s governance but also for crude oil production and energy security, which are vital to the national economy.

The group threatened: “If Rivers State is starved of its economic right because of one who wants to monopolise the state economy, we will also starve the economy of Nigeria.

On its part, the INC has warned that any orchestrated plan to impeach Fubara would lead to widespread instability in the oil-bearing Niger Delta region. The Ijaw apex group also stated that the Ijaw people would defend the governor “with every drop of blood in their veins,” emphasising that they would not stand by and allow their long-awaited tenure to be truncated.

The body added that any attempt to undermine Fubara’s government would have dire consequences for national peace and economic stability. The INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, stated this in a statement on Monday, declaring that the Supreme Court judgment failed to acknowledge the historical and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in Rivers State’s governance.

MEANWHILE, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced a general stakeholder meeting in preparation for the 2025 Local Council Elections in the state.

According to a notice signed by Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), Chairman/Chief Electoral Commissioner of RSIEC, the meeting is scheduled for today, March 5, 2025, at the RSIEC Headquarters, in Port Harcourt.

The meeting, which is expected to commence at 2:00 p.m. prompt, will bring together leaders of registered political parties, traditional rulers, security agencies, religious organisations, and media professionals.

The statement reads: “The Chairman of the RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, DSSR (rtd), hereby invites leaders of all registered political parties, traditional rulers, security agencies, religious organisations, the media, professional organisations, civil society groups, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), community-based groups and the electorate to a general stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the RSIEC Headquarters, 239-243 Aba Road, Port Harcourt by 02.00 p.m. prompt.

“The highlight of the meeting will be the unveiling of the timetable and guidelines for the 2025 local council elections in the state. All concerned should be seated at the RSIEC auditorium by 02:00 p.m.”