A group from Nigeria’s Niger Delta, known as the Niger Delta Development Force, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu’s government. The group claims that it will shut down oil facilities in the Niger Delta if immediate action isn’t taken to curb what they describe as political interference by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Niger Delta Development Force accuses Wike of using his influence against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with alleged plans to stop funding for local governments. According to the group, Wike is seeking a court ruling to cut off these funds, which they believe will hurt the communities that rely on local government support.

In a statement by spokesperson Justin Alabraba, the group expressed its frustration, emphasizing that any ruling that blocks local government funds in Rivers State would lead them to shut down oil operations. “We will not hesitate to act. If governance in Rivers is disrupted, we’ll disrupt governance at a higher level by halting oil production,” Alabraba stated.

The Niger Delta group argues that President Tinubu must prevent this alleged interference, or face the consequences of halted oil production, a move that would impact the Nigerian economy. They also criticize Wike, saying he uses his federal position to influence state matters in ways that hurt local governance.

The group’s message is clear: they feel ignored and will take action if necessary to ensure that local communities in the Niger Delta are protected from political struggles. They insist that this isn’t just a threat but a promise they intend to keep if the situation doesn’t change.

With the Niger Delta being a critical area for oil production, this warning highlights the ongoing political and economic tensions that continue to impact local communities and the broader economy.