Amid escalating tensions over a Federal High Court ruling to withhold federal allocations from Rivers State, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, National Coordinator of the South-South Elders Forum, has issued a stark warning: if the Federal Government continues to deny funds to the state, Rivers might respond by halting oil production.
Speaking in an interview with Symfoni TV from 14:05, Sara-Igbe emphasized the serious economic and political consequences if oil production stops, suggesting it would affect Nigeria’s entire revenue stream and urging key political leaders to address the implications urgently.
“If they allow this trend to go, we’ll tell you that we cannot produce oil and we’ll not benefit from it,” he stated. He cautioned that such an outcome could drive the state, and the broader Niger Delta, toward instability, stressing that a peaceful resolution is essential for sustaining democracy and avoiding potential anarchy in the region.
“Mr President should not put fire in the Niger Delta,” he warned, urging that Rivers residents should not be subjected to further hardship, potentially referencing former governor Nyesom Wike’s role in the situation.
WHAT HE SAID
“If they allow this trend to go, we’ll tell you that we cannot produce oil and we’ll not benefit from it. Oil will not be produced again in Nigeria They (The Governor’s forum) should know what to do because there’ll be no money for anybody when Oil production stops. They should all look at the implications.”
“This democracy, we must all work to save it, whether Governor, Minister, President, anybody, we must work out to save this democracy because if Anarchy comes in and the State become ungovernable, nobody will enjoy it. We want peace in Rivers State, we want peace in Nigeria Delta. Mr President should not put fire in Niger Delta. Wike should not be allowed to torment Rivers people because we’d react.”