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Niger Delta Group Urges FG to Intervene in Rivers Crisis

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 12th, 2024.

Niger Delta Group Urges FG to Intervene in Rivers Crisis

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

A Niger Delta-based advocacy group, South-South Renewed Call 4 Resource Control, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action and play a leadership role in resolving the ongoing crisis in Rivers State. The group also urged the restoration of the state’s rightful federal allocation, which it claims has been unjustly withheld.

In a statement released on Sunday, the group emphasized the Federal Government’s responsibility in bringing peace and stability to Rivers State, drawing historical parallels to the 1966 military coup. The group argued that had the Federal Government acted neutrally and decisively in the Western Region crisis, the subsequent tragedies might have been avoided. It further criticized the political manipulation that favored certain factions, instead of prioritizing national unity.

The statement, signed by Dr. Omereji Amadi, Director of Strategy for the group, expressed concern about the ongoing economic deprivation faced by the people of Rivers State. “Rivers has been the nation’s oil wealth provider for over 50 years, yet its people are being denied their fair share from the federal purse,” Amadi stated. “It is unacceptable for the state to suffer economically due to the personal interests of any one individual, particularly Mr. Nyesom Wike.”

The group urged key stakeholders—including the President, National Assembly, governors, PANDEF, and other Niger Delta groups—to support the call for the restoration of Rivers State’s federal allocation and the passage of laws for resource control.

Amadi further appealed for statesmanship in addressing the issue, stressing that narrow political interests should not override the national good. “Rivers State’s significant contribution to the nation’s wealth cannot be ignored. Denying them their fair share is a grave injustice that threatens the unity and progress of Nigeria.”

The group called for the President’s intervention to prevent the situation from escalating into a political crisis similar to the one experienced in the 1960s in the Western Region, which ultimately led to the military coup.

Amadi concluded by recalling the efforts of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, whose leadership and amnesty program helped resolve a similar crisis in the Niger Delta. “We must learn from our history and ensure that we do not repeat the same mistakes,” he said. “This is the time to act in the best interest of Rivers State and the nation. Ignoring the problem could lead to uncontrollable consequences.”

The group is hopeful that through swift action, the federal government can right this wrong and prevent further tensions

in the region.