PORT – HARCOURT: A newly formed militant group, the Niger Delta Development Force(NDDF) in Rivers State has threatened to blow up oil pipelines in the crude oil bearing Niger Delta region if a Federal High Court ruling denies their local governments the statutory monthly allocations.
NDDF’s threat comes ahead of a decision expected from Justice Joyce Abdulmalik tomorrow ( Monday) which is envisaged to have far reaching implications for governance at that grassroots.
The group alleged that the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is leveraging on alleged influence and closeness with some judiciary members to secure favourable rulings that could undermine the governance of his estranged political godson, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Justin Alabraba, the group’s spokesman, in a statement on Sunday, warned that “Any judgment that denies Local Governments in Rivers State will be met with heavy destruction of oil installations.”
Alabraba further warned of the group’s readiness to carry out its threat, declaring, “Let them try it on Monday and see. We will shut down major oil pipelines, and it would be the beginning of the worst to come. Wike cannot be using Tinubu’s powers to cause problems in Rivers State.”
The threat raises fresh concerns about the likely resumption violence and disruption of oil facilities by region’s restive youths and the attendant compounding of socio-political challenges plaguing the area.
The Daily Crucible reports that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja, had recently dismissed the prayer of the Rivers State Government seeking an order of stay of proceedings in a suit desirous of stopping allocation of funds to all the Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The Judge held that the order sought by the Rivers State Government through their counsel, Gordy Uche, was frivolous, vexatious, unwarranted and mischievous.
However, Justin Alabraba in the statement vowed that the group will disrupt oil flow across oil installations in Rivers State should any Judge in Abuja make any pronouncement that would render Local Governments in River State financially incapacitated to perform their business of governance to the people at the grassroots level.
“We will waste no time. It would be swift response. We will shut down major oil installations in the Niger Delta. If President Bola Tinubu would allow Wike ground Governance at the local Governments in Rivers State, we will also ground governance at all levels. We cannot be suffering while other parts of Nigeria are enjoying. Wike should leave Fubara alone,” he said.
The group said noted that members have watched with keen interest for several months now how Wike allegedly used his position as a Minister and a member of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet to undermine the efforts of Governor Fubara in Rivers.
They warned strongly that the NDDF would no longer fold its arms and watch Wike destroy the state.
He said, “For months now, Wike has continued to insult and intimidate Governor Fubara using his Federal might. We won’t tolerate that anymore.
“Any move against Fubara by Wike would now be met with destructions of oil installations. Since Tinubu would want to continue to play the ostrich, let us all go mad then. Rivers State does not belong to Wike and he cannot finish serving his eight years without intimidation or harassment from those who helped him get there and now wants to disturb his successor.
“We will bomb and continue to destroy oil installations. This is not a threat. This is a promise. This is what we will do. Enough is enough. Wike and Tinubu cannot take us for a ride anymore.”
