- Says it is undemocratic and unjust
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, describing the action as unacceptable and a violation of democratic principles.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Kome Odhomor, HOMEF’s Media and Communications Lead and Oilwatch Africa Communications Officer, the organisation criticised the suspension of two arms of government and the appointment of a military sole administrator, stating that such measures constitute a direct assault on democracy and pose significant socio-ecological risks not only to Rivers State but to the entire Niger Delta region.
The statement read: “This action represents a grave violation of democratic principles, the rule of law, and the expressed will of the people. Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) strongly rejects the recent declaration of a state of emergency and the subsequent military takeover of democratically elected institutions in Rivers State.”
HOMEF highlighted that while the Niger Delta has not been a hotspot for insurgency or terrorism, it remains one of the most militarised regions in the country. This militarisation, the statement noted, has historically been driven by the government’s desire to protect oil interests and enforce extractive operations with impunity.
The statement continued: “The history of military rule in Nigeria is marked by bloodshed and environmental degradation, leaving deep scars in the psyche of the people. Any action that revives the traumatic memories of military rule in the 1990s must be condemned in the strongest terms. The suggestion that military intervention will resolve governance issues is deeply misguided and unacceptable.”
Military Rule Threatens Rights and Environmental Integrity
HOMEF’s Executive Director, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, described the president’s decision as disturbing, one-sided, and unconvincing.
He stated: “While the political situation in Rivers State has been troubling, declaring a state of emergency only escalates the crisis. A return to military rule in any part of the Niger Delta represents an egregious assault on the already traumatised people of the region. The Niger Delta has long suffered from state-backed militarisation to protect oil extraction interests at the expense of environmental and human health.”
Dr. Bassey further criticised the government’s handling of the situation, warning that military intervention could serve as a pretext for expanding oil drilling and exploitation under the protection of state-backed force. “We will not forget that the region was, and remains, militarised to serve the interests of multinational oil companies. Communities were destroyed, and blood was shed to protect oil profits. Now, we face the prospect of renewed militarisation under the guise of restoring order. This raises serious concerns about whether the government’s true motive is to suppress civil unrest or to secure oil interests through force.”
Challenge to Justification for State of Emergency
HOMEF rejected the justification that the state of emergency was necessary due to threats to oil pipelines, arguing that failing oil infrastructure has frequently suffered damage from neglect and poor maintenance rather than external sabotage.
The statement noted: “It is disingenuous to suggest that pipeline incidents are acts of sabotage without conducting a thorough investigation. Many oil installations have collapsed due to age and poor maintenance, not third-party interference.”
HOMEF also condemned the government’s lack of transparency in managing oil industry divestments, warning that secretive deals with oil companies could compromise the interests of local communities and the nation. “We strongly oppose any attempt to use militarisation as a cover to expand oil exploration or enforce backdoor divestments. The ecological damage in the Niger Delta has already reduced lives to a mere whisper. Forcing additional extraction through military backing would only deepen the suffering of local communities.”
Call for Restoration of Democratic Governance
HOMEF called for the immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State and demanded that the government respect the constitutional order and the rule of law.
The statement concluded: “There is no provision in the Nigerian Constitution that authorises the President to dissolve democratic institutions and impose military rule. We call on the federal government to respect democratic norms and engage in transparent, accountable governance. The rights and interests of the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of oil profits.”
