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In an interview with Symfoni TV, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, National Coordinator of the South-South Elders Forum, issued a grave warning amidst rising tensions over a Federal High Court ruling to withhold federal allocations from Rivers State. Sara-Igbe cautioned that if the Federal Government persists in denying funds to the state, Rivers might retaliate by halting oil production.
Sara-Igbe emphasized the severe economic and political ramifications of an oil production stoppage, noting that it would impact Nigeria’s entire revenue stream. He urged key political leaders to address the implications urgently, stating, “If they allow this trend to go, we’ll tell you that we cannot produce oil and we’ll not benefit from it.”
Sara-Igbe warned that such an outcome could push the state and the broader Niger Delta region towards instability, underlining the importance of a peaceful resolution to sustain democracy and prevent potential anarchy in the area. “Mr President should not put fire in the Niger Delta,” he cautioned, appealing that Rivers residents should not face additional hardship, potentially alluding to former governor Nyesom Wike’s involvement in the situation.
“Oil will not be produced again in Nigeria,” Sara-Igbe stated, adding, “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.”
The National Coordinator stressed the importance of collective efforts to preserve democracy, saying, “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.”
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