Less than 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, oil and gas-producing communities in the Niger Delta have raised alarms, warning that the decision could spark guerrilla warfare in the region.
The communities expressed concern that the recent bombing of the major Trans-Niger oil pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Ogoni, Rivers State, might be linked to disgruntled ex-militant leaders who feel sidelined in pipeline surveillance contracts.
Joseph Ambakaderimo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Community Development Committees (CDC) of Niger Delta Oil and Gas-Producing Areas, spoke to the media, cautioning that the political crisis in Rivers State could quickly escalate into an economic crisis if not handled with diplomacy and care.
He criticized President Tinubu’s decision, suggesting that the situation was still manageable and did not warrant a state of emergency.
“A state of emergency could lead to guerrilla warfare, and this country is not prepared for such a serious situation,” Ambakaderimo warned. He claimed that some ex-militants involved in pipeline surveillance had been excluded from contracts and might have used the crisis in Rivers State to sabotage the pipeline as a way of drawing attention to their grievances.
Despite the state of emergency, Ambakaderimo urged Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to initiate dialogue with President Tinubu through senior statesmen in an attempt to reverse the decision. He also criticized the 27 lawmakers in the state for disregarding the Supreme Court’s ruling and prioritizing political interests by attempting to impeach Governor Fubara at the instigation of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Ambakaderimo called on President Tinubu to reconsider his decision, arguing that doing so would align with his administration’s goal of ensuring peace and boosting oil production in the region.
