The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the state of emergency declared in Rivers State does not extend beyond the stipulated six-month period.
As the deadline looms, former local council chairmen in Rivers have pledged support for suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has appealed to Tinubu to reconsider the emergency declaration and instead establish a reconciliation committee to mediate the political crisis in the state.
Diri urged the President and the National Assembly to form a committee of respected individuals to intervene immediately, restore peace, and reinstate the legally constituted government in Rivers.
Similarly, the President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba, has called on the Federal Government to reconsider its actions and respect the sovereignty of the Rivers people.
A report released on Wednesday warned that the emergency rule and the suspension of democratic governance in Rivers could severely disrupt Nigeria’s oil production, further straining the country’s economy.
At a press briefing in Abuja, NCSCN’s Executive Director, Mr Blessing Akinlosotu, advised Tinubu to ensure that the emergency rule does not extend beyond six months and, if possible, be lifted within three months.
We call on the Federal Government to ensure the state of emergency does not extend beyond the stipulated six-month period. If possible, it should be terminated within three months and ensure that no one is victimised, especially from the Fubara end. All parties should be given fair treatment, hearing, and level grounds in protecting their various political interests, Akinlosotu stated.
He further suggested that a reconciliation committee should be set up to identify major actors and interest groups in the crisis, engage them in discussions, and extract critical information that would lead to a sustainable and widely accepted resolution. He stressed that the committee’s recommendations must be fair and practical to ensure lasting peace, unity, and progress in Rivers State.
At a separate briefing in Port Harcourt, the 23 former local government chairmen of Rivers State condemned the imposition of emergency rule, describing it as unfortunate. Speaking on behalf of the group, former Councillor for Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Echemati, highlighted Fubara’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in the state, reaffirming their unwavering support for the suspended governor.
Governor Diri has reiterated that the Rivers crisis can be resolved through dialogue rather than emergency rule. He made the appeal yesterday at the Emergency Stakeholders’ Congress of the INC, held at Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
Again, I restate that this is the time for dialogue because it is a lose-lose situation for people of Rivers. I urge the President and the National Assembly to waste no time in inaugurating a committee of eminent personalities that will immediately intervene and bring back peace and the constituted government of Rivers State back to office, Diri stated.
He also noted that the South-South Governors’ Forum, which he chairs, had previously urged Tinubu to reconsider his stance and promote dialogue among the warring parties.
However, the Ijaw nation is not in conflict with the Federal Government nor do we have any dispute with President Tinubu, he added.
In his address, INC President Okaba commended Ijaw leaders, Niger Deltans, Nigerians, and the international community for their continued support for justice in the Rivers crisis. He described Tinubu’s emergency declaration and suspension of the governor as a great assault on the principles of justice, democratic governance, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.
He further argued that the long-standing marginalisation of the Ijaw people in Rivers, who have been denied the governorship for over 24 years, is not just a partisan issue but a constitutional challenge affecting the rights and economy of all Nigerians.
Similarly, rights activist Ms Annkio Briggs, in her keynote address, referenced historical Ijaw leaders such as King Koko of Nembe, King Jaja of Opobo, and Isaac Adaka Boro, stating that they foresaw such challenges and that it was now up to the people to safeguard and improve on their legacy.
According to the second quarter 2025 Nigeria Energy Outlook by the Society of Energy Editors, the ongoing political instability in Rivers could significantly disrupt oil production. The report warned that increased pipeline vandalism and militant activities could cause operational disruptions, logistical challenges for oil workers, and force majeure declarations by major operators such as Shell and TotalEnergies.
If unrest escalates, Nigeria could lose between 100,000 and 200,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2025, further straining government revenue. This comes as Nigeria’s crude oil output remains below its OPEC quota of approximately 1.5 million bpd in Q1 2025, the report stated.
Despite the government’s target to boost production to 1.8 million bpd by mid-year, challenges such as security threats, ageing infrastructure, and ongoing divestments by international oil companies remain significant hurdles.
The Society of Energy Editors further highlighted that Nigeria’s ability to meet its economic goals in Q2 2025 would depend on improving security in the Niger Delta, resolving crude supply disputes, and implementing sustained policy reforms in the energy sector.
