The Niger Delta Congress (NDC), a prominent socio-political organization representing the ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta, has called for widespread protests in Rivers State to oppose the recent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State Assembly. The suspension, declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, as part of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state, has sparked outrage among regional stakeholders who view the move as an assault on democracy and the rights of the Niger Delta people.
In a press statement released on March 23, 2025, the NDC condemned the federal government’s actions, describing the suspension as a “well-orchestrated plot to undermine the democratic will of the people of Rivers State.” The statement, signed by NDC National Spokesperson Mudiaga Ogboru, highlighted the historical marginalization of the Niger Delta, including unremitted revenues, environmental degradation from oil exploration, and the lack of socio-economic development in the region. The NDC called on the people of Rivers State and all Nigerians to join in rejecting what they termed a “military-style imposition” on a democratically elected government.
The state of emergency in Rivers State was declared following a political crisis and an oil pipeline explosion, which President Tinubu cited as reasons for the drastic measure. The suspension, which also affects the deputy governor and all state lawmakers, is set to last six months. However, the move has been widely criticized by opposition parties and regional leaders. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to which Governor Fubara belongs, labeled the emergency rule as an attempt at “state capture” and accused Tinubu of trying to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate for the Labour Party, also described the decision as “reckless” in a post on X.
The NDC’s statement echoed these sentiments, framing the suspension as part of a broader pattern of oppression against the Niger Delta. “This is not just a crisis in Rivers State; it is a war against the Niger Delta,” the statement read, referencing past grievances such as the 1995 execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, which galvanized resistance against oil interests in the region. The NDC also expressed concern over Governor Fubara’s whereabouts, noting that he has been unreachable since vacating the Government House following the declaration of the state of emergency. Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a Niger Delta activist, had earlier raised similar concerns on Arise Television, stating, “Fubara’s life is in danger; we have tried to reach him, but we cannot reach him.”
Public reactions to the NDC’s call for protest have been mixed, as seen in responses on X. Some users, like @januarytthegod, expressed support with a simple “Let’s go
,” while others, such as @MelvinOdalonu, criticized the timing of the protest, noting that “even the governor has accepted his fate.” @franklinfoe1 questioned whether the protest addressed the real issues facing the average Niger Deltan, such as healthcare, job creation, and infrastructure, urging citizens not to “die in their war.” Meanwhile, @Wikenibori attacked the NDC’s leadership, specifically targeting Mudiaga Ogboru for alleged ethnic bias.
The NDC, formed in 2019 to unite the over 48 indigenous ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta, has been a vocal advocate for regional autonomy and resource control. The organization has previously demanded audits of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects and highlighted the region’s low life expectancy due to environmental degradation and government neglect. This latest protest call underscores the deep-seated tensions between the Niger Delta and the federal government, a conflict rooted in decades of economic exploitation and political marginalization.
As the situation unfolds, the NDC has urged Nigerians to “strip away the dignity of a people particularly in Rivers, Opobo, Okrika, Bonny, and other areas” and resist what they describe as an “ethnic domination” of the region. The group warned that failure to act could lead to further erosion of democratic principles across the country.
Full Press Statement by the Niger Delta Congress
The Niger Delta Congress (NDC), representing the unified voice of the ethnic nations of the Niger Delta, issues an alarming call to the people of Rivers State and the indigenous ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta to rise in protest against the suspension of the democratically elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly by the Federal Government of Nigeria. This suspension, declared on the 18th of March 2025, is a direct assault on the democratic will of the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta at large.
This declaration of emergency rule, purportedly justified by incidents of pipeline vandalism and militancy, raises serious doubts about its legality and legitimacy under the Nigerian Constitution. The NDC views this as a calculated move to subvert the democratic process, undermine the rights of our people, and impose a military-style governance structure in a region that has long suffered from systemic neglect and exploitation. The Federal Government’s actions are not only an affront to the people of Rivers State but also a continuation of the historical marginalization of the Niger Delta, a region that has endured unremitted revenues, environmental devastation, and socio-economic deprivation for decades.
We call on the people of Rivers State—Opobo, Okrika, Bonny, and all other ethnic nationalities—to reject this imposition and stand in solidarity with the suspended Governor Fubara and the state assembly. The NDC also appeals to the broader Nigerian public to recognize the dangerous precedent this sets for democracy across the country. If this is allowed to stand in Rivers State, it will soon spread to other regions, eroding the very foundation of our democratic system.
We are deeply concerned about the whereabouts of Governor Fubara, who has been incommunicado since the declaration of the state of emergency. This raises serious questions about his safety and the intentions of the Federal Government. The NDC demands immediate transparency regarding the governor’s status and calls for his reinstatement, along with that of the state assembly, to restore democratic governance in Rivers State.
The Niger Delta has long been a battleground for ethnic domination and economic exploitation, with the Federal Government and its allies benefiting from the region’s oil wealth while leaving its people in poverty and despair. The suspension of Governor Fubara is a stark reminder of the 1995 execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, an event that radicalized the Niger Delta’s struggle for justice and self-determination. We will not stand idly by as history repeats itself.
We call on the ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta to mobilize and resist this oppression. We urge the people of Rivers State to strip away the dignity of a people particularly in Rivers, Opobo, Okrika, Bonny, and other areas, who have been subjected to this injustice. The NDC unequivocally condemns this emergency declaration and the suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State.
The NDC also calls on the international community to take note of this alarming development and the potential for further unrest in the Niger Delta. The region’s history of militancy and conflict, often fueled by government neglect and environmental devastation, cannot be ignored. We demand that President Tinubu reverse this decision, reinstate Governor Fubara and the state assembly, and address the legitimate grievances of the Niger Delta people, including the audit of NDDC projects and the restoration of our environment.
We call on our people to take to the streets in a peaceful protest against this injustice. Let us send a clear message that the Niger Delta will no longer tolerate being treated as a colony of exploitation. After words, comes action.
Premier League