NIGER DELTA LEADERS ISSUE STERN WARNING TO TINUBU OVER LOOMING SECURITY AND OIL CRISIS
PORT HARCOURT — A coalition of community leaders, youth presidents, and ethnic nationality representatives across the Niger Delta has issued a strong and urgent warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cautioning that Nigeria may be drifting into a repeat of the devastating oil crisis that once crippled national revenue and destabilised the region.
The warning was issued on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, after a high-level strategic meeting held at the Palacio Event Centre, 63 Woji Road, GRA 2, Port Harcourt, under the Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum and Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities.
In a communiqué signed by ten regional leaders representing major ethnic groups across the region, the stakeholders demanded urgent decentralisation of pipeline surveillance operations and a full investigation into the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, warned that current developments mirror early warning signs of past crises.
“We are not here to threaten anyone. We are here because we have seen this before. Every early warning sign is present today. The President must act now,” he stated.
RECALLING THE SHADOW OF PAST CRISIS
The communiqué revisited Nigeria’s oil production history, noting that before 2015, output averaged 2.4 to 2.5 million barrels per day under a decentralised surveillance structure.
Stakeholders argued that the collapse of that structure contributed to instability, militant emergence, and a drastic fall in production to about 900,000 barrels per day at the peak of the crisis.
The forum referenced the role of regional actors who helped contain escalation in critical waterways and prevent wider economic collapse across the Niger Delta.
However, they warned that many of those stabilising figures are now being sidelined under the current system.
CONCERNS OVER MODERN SURVEILLANCE STRUCTURE
The forum expressed deep concern over the current pipeline surveillance architecture, describing it as overly centralised and lacking transparency.
They noted that advanced surveillance tools, including drone systems reportedly demonstrated at a National Assembly roundtable on April 8, 2026, operate without clear accountability frameworks.
Stakeholders questioned who bears responsibility if such systems are compromised or misused by non-state actors.
They warned that placing critical national infrastructure in the hands of powerful private actors could pose long-term security risks.
AMNESTY PROGRAMME UNDER SCRUTINY
The Niger Delta leaders also raised concerns over the Presidential Amnesty Programme, alleging imbalance in funding distribution and stagnation of stipends.
They noted that beneficiaries have remained on ₦65,000 monthly since 2010 despite inflation and rising cost of living, while the programme’s budget has reportedly increased significantly.
Allegations were also raised regarding unequal allocation of resources to select groups within the system.
The forum called for immediate investigation by the EFCC and ICPC into the management of the programme.
“The Amnesty Programme must never be used as a tool of exclusion or retaliation,” the communiqué stated.
FOUR KEY DEMANDS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The stakeholders outlined four major demands:
- Immediate decentralisation of pipeline surveillance under a coordinated national framework involving security agencies and states.
- Establishment of a joint supervisory system including military authorities, community leaders, and state coordinators.
- Comprehensive reform and audit of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, including review of stipends.
- Inclusion and protection of stakeholders who contributed to peace during previous crises.
A FINAL WARNING
The communiqué warned that failure to act could trigger renewed instability in the Niger Delta with severe national consequences.
“The Niger Delta has seen crisis before. If the current trajectory is not corrected, the consequences may again be severe for Nigeria as a whole.”
SIGNATORIES
The statement was signed by leaders from Ijaw, Ogoni, Ibom, Ikwerre, Isoko, Urhobo, Ndokwa, Oro-Obolo, and Warri indigenous groups, including prominent youth and community representatives.
SOURCE
Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum
Palacio Event Centre, 63 Woji Road, GRA 2, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
About the Author
