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Royalties: Kalabari King Gives Shell Ultimatum
The chiefs and people of Kalabari kingdom in Rivers State, have vowed to resist plans by oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to reduce royalties accruing to the area due to rising incidents of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The kingdom, which comprises, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema local government areas, said any slash in their royalties will amount to a breach of the agreement signed with the people.
Managing Director of SPDC, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, had in a news briefing in Port Harcourt, on March 1, 2013, said the firm may be compelled to shut down its Nembe-Creek Trunkline (NCTL), following the upsurge in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, particularly in Cawthorne Channel and Kakrama, in Kalabariland and Awoba in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Sunmonu, disclosed that 60,000 barrels of crude oil were being stolen everyday, out of the company’s 150,000 barrels daily oil supply to the trunk line, while bemoaning the huge loss of revenue to the government and the devastation such illicit activities were causing to the environment.
The company, in keeping to that threat, had five days later shut down the pipeline and declared force majeure on crude supply to Bonny Export Terminal.
SPDC’s spokesman, Mr Precious Okolobo, also said recently that the company may look in the way of slashing the funds to the communities within the NCTL, if nothing was done to stop the ugly trend.
But the Amayanabo of Kalabari kingdom, Professor Theophilus J.T. Princewill, last weekend faulted the move by Shell, reminding the firm of its promise to increase the mandate annually by 10 per cent, saying the planned reduction will be collectively resisted by the people.
The monarch, who was answering questions from newsmen shortly after a special service at the African Church, Buguma City in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State, to mark his 11th Anniversary on the throne as Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, noted that the funds were part of extant agreement between Shell and the kingdom to assist the development of the area.
King Princewill explains: “Shell keeps mentioning that they were going to shut down their trunkline. For the last six years or so, they gave us some money which we used in providing projects.
Now that they are coming to the second phase of that agreement, on the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU, instead of increasing the lot (they call it mandate) that is due to us (the Kalabari people), they want to reduce it by more than half, whereas in the last five years, there was a promise to have 10 per cent increase annually.
“Instead of finding it necessary to review it upwards now that they are going to enter into a new agreement, they want to slash it down by more than a half. Of course, the Kalabaris will not agree.
”Although they said because of crude oil theft, their production in the Kalabari area dropped, but we did not believe that, that has happened. But if we go by that, there are other areas where there is no production whatsoever, but they have increased their funds allocation to them.
”So, if they want to insist on reducing what mandate they gave us, we will say no, we will not accept it. You either increase it or you don’t operate in our area,” he posited.
He further said that the Kalabari Council of Chiefs had met severally with Shell where the latter was told that whatever is in the territory belongs to the people and that the firm was only allowed to go and exploit the crude.
”If what they are doing is to make us suffer for it, we ask them (Shell) to pack up their things (facilities) and go, because we will not beg them to come and do it. If they don’t do it, there are other companies that will come in to do it. For many years now in Ogoni area, Shell is not operating, yet Ogonis have not died.
“If we stop Shell from operating in our territory, we will not die and Nigeria will not collapse and that is our position. They say they are going to close down their operation, we say not only closing down, pack your things and go. That is what we have said to them (Shell),” he said.
Prof. Princewill, however, said that if youths in the area were found culpable over allegations of crude theft, the Kalabari Council of Chiefs would intervene, but noted that crude oil and the control of the resource was essentially the business of the government.
”I and the Kalabari chiefs do not have any control over crude oil production or exploitation. The only thing we can do if our children are doing it is to talk to them, but the full control of such issue is in the hands of government,” he added
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a special legal team to handle election petitions arising from last Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
This comes as the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.
The Tide reports that the council elections were held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across all six FCT area councils, including Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
Results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.
In a statement issued yesterday by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party congratulated its candidates, who emerged winners in the chairmanship and councilor elections.
The opposition party acknowledged the victories, noting that the number of wins was lower than expected but significant given the alleged irregularities during the polls.
“We specifically congratulate the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics, and brazen executive brigandage,” the statement read.
Ememobong claimed that there are reports and video evidence indicating voter intimidation and unlawful conduct that influenced the outcome of the elections.
“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.”
To address complaints and litigations arising from the polls, he said the party has set up a legal team headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq.
The statement urged candidates with legitimate grievances to contact the Legal Adviser promptly, as delays could jeopardise their chances in election petition cases.
“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in the electoral outcomes from elections conducted under this Act.
“These Local Council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made,” the statement added.
The PDP called on the National Assembly and the President to take corrective action to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will on Wednesday swear in Justice Joseph Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The ceremony is scheduled to be held at 2pm at Courtroom Two of the Supreme Court complex in Abuja.
The court urged guests to adhere strictly to the court’s protocols and security measures.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Festus Akande.
The court described Oyewole’s appointment as a step towards reinforcing the capacity of the apex court to deliver fair and timely judgments.
Recall that Oyewole was, until his elevation, a Justice of the Court of Appeal and Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division, and joins the apex court bench as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the judiciary.
The National Judicial Council recommended Oyewole for the position alongside 35 others for various judicial offices, following its 110th meeting held on January 13, 2026, and presided over by Justice Kekere-Ekun.
The statement partly read, “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, will on Wednesday, 25th February, 2026, preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA.”
According to the statement, Oyewole served with distinction at the Court of Appeal and as Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division prior to his elevation.
“His appointment underscores the commitment of the Nigerian judiciary to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and strengthening the bench with experienced and dedicated jurists. He brings a wealth of legal expertise and integrity to the apex court to further enhance its capacity to deliver fair and timely judgments,” the statement added.
The apex court further described the swearing-in as “another significant step in rejuvenating the judiciary and ensuring the continued delivery of justice in line with the highest standards of integrity, competence, and impartiality.”
The Supreme Court reiterated its commitment to justice, fairness and judicial independence for the benefit of Nigerians.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep shock and sadness over the sudden passage of Senator Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing South East Senatorial District of Rivers State.
In a tribute to mourn the deceased, Governor Fubara described Mpigi as a brother, a consummate politician and one of the leading lights in Rivers State.
He said that Mpigi died at a critical time when his services were still needed by the people of Rivers State and prayed God Almighty to grant him eternal rest.
The governor commiserated with his immediate family, the Rivers South East Senatorial District and the Senate at large, asking them to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a good life and impacted positively on the people.
Senator Mpigi died at the age of 64. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works.
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