The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn, sending shockwaves across Nigeria as the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, has condemned the recent blockade of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the Rivers State House of Assembly. The forum described the lawmakers’ action as a deliberate provocation and a direct insult to the people of Rivers State, further intensifying the growing tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government.
On Wednesday, Governor Fubara was denied access to the Rivers State Assembly Complex, where he was scheduled to present the 2025 budget. The move, orchestrated by the Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly, was widely seen as a political ambush aimed at humiliating the governor and asserting legislative dominance in the ongoing power struggle.
Reacting to the shocking development, a prominent chieftain of PANDEF, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, expressed outrage over what he described as a blatant attack on the democratic rights of the Rivers people. Speaking exclusively to Vanguard, Sara-Igbe stressed that the obstruction of the governor was not just a personal affront to Fubara, but a direct insult to the entire state.
“The Governor was elected by millions of Rivers people. As the chief executive officer of the state, he has unhindered access to all government facilities. Blocking him from entering the complex is a direct insult and embarrassment to the people of Rivers State,” he declared.
The Rivers crisis has been festering for months, with political tensions escalating between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. While Fubara has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to peace and reconciliation, his opponents have continued to challenge his authority, pushing the state into a deeper political quagmire.
Sara-Igbe further noted that Governor Fubara has done everything within his power to maintain peace despite multiple provocations. He recalled that the governor, acting on the advice of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, withdrew a legal case against the lawmakers last year as a gesture of peace. However, he lamented that the lawmakers failed to reciprocate, choosing instead to escalate tensions through actions that undermine the stability of the state.
In response to Wike’s recent statement that “Fubara can be impeached and heaven will not fall,” the PANDEF leader cautioned that such inflammatory remarks were not only reckless but also capable of triggering unrest in the Niger Delta region.
“He should remember that during the time of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, crude oil production dropped drastically from 2.4 million barrels per day to just 700,000 barrels. This only changed when Ijaw elders and the Niger Delta leaders intervened and convinced various militant groups, including the Avengers, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), and others, to stand down,” Sara-Igbe stated.
With Nigeria’s economy currently struggling, PANDEF warned against any political crisis that could disrupt crude oil production and further weaken the country’s revenue. The chieftain urged all parties to act responsibly and refrain from making statements that could incite unrest.
“The nation’s economy is already at a sad point. We don’t want anything to happen to crude oil production. The Minister should be mindful of his utterances. While we plead for all parties in the crisis to follow the path of peace, we all should also mind what we say at all times,” he emphasized.
The unfolding events in Rivers State have raised serious concerns over the stability of governance in one of Nigeria’s most economically vital regions. With the political battle between Fubara and Wike reaching new heights, analysts fear that a full-blown constitutional crisis could erupt if urgent steps are not taken to restore harmony.
As tensions escalate, the people of Rivers State remain caught in the crossfire of a power struggle that has crippled governance. Many are now looking to President Tinubu and other national stakeholders to intervene decisively and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
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