According to the VATLAD, if the crisis in Rivers State is not immediately resolved, Nigeria’s foreign revenue earnings from petrol and crude oil will drastically decline, the country’s supply of petroleum products will become unstable, the price of petroleum products will continue to rise, and the value of the Naira relative to other currencies will further plummet.

In a letter to Chief Justice of Federation (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the civil society organisation Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD) demanded an immediate intervention in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State in order to bring peace and security back to the region.

In a letter addressed to the CJN and signed by its Secretary General, Kelechi Ijeoma, and National President, Igbini Odafe Emmanuel, the organisation stated that the only body qualified to resolve the current political impasse in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike was the Nigerian Supreme Court.

According to VATLAD, if the crisis in Rivers State is not immediately resolved, Nigeria’s foreign revenue earnings from petrol and crude oil will plummet dramatically; there will also be instability in the country’s supply of petroleum products; the prices of these products will continue to rise; and the value of the Nigerian Naira will continue to plunge against other currencies.

The letter states in part, “There is no question that under the current circumstances, only the Supreme Court of Nigeria, as a Court of Policy and Law and Finality, under your divine guidance, would be able to ultimately settle this problem and restore Peace, Unity, and Progress to Rivers State’s people.

“We cannot afford to let Rivers State veer even slightly towards anarchy—it is too strategically and economically significant to our beloved nation of Nigeria.”

Allowing this to continue will have the following effects: (1) a sharp decline in our country’s foreign revenue earnings from the sale of petrol and crude oil; (2) unstable petroleum product supply throughout the nation; (3) ongoing increases in the cost of petroleum products; and (4) a further decline in the value of the naira relative to other currencies.

“It is clear from the above list that the terrible effects of the current political unrest in Rivers State extend far beyond the governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the honourable minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as many commentators would have the world believe.

The worst losers would be Nigeria and its population of almost 200 million people.

Due to a rumoured defection of some House members to another political party, we humbly request that you order an expedited hearing of the ongoing lawsuit aimed at resolving the claim and counterclaim against the leadership and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Peace and security in Rivers State will be restored right away if the Supreme Court decides this case.”