The Nigeria Police Force has detained the President of the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) over the group’s planned protest against President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of an emergency rule in Rivers State.
The NDC president was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday and is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Rivers State, SaharaReporters learnt.
A source privy to the situation told SaharaReporters that the police initially invited the NDC’s Spokesperson, Mudiaga Ogboru, over his criticism of the emergency rule and for urging Niger Delta people to exercise their civil rights through protests or other means to show their disapproval of the presidential directive.
“The police sent an invitation to the spokesperson of the Niger Delta Congress, Mudiaga Ogboru, for criticising the emergency rule in Rivers and for asking Niger Delta people to speak up and exercise their civil rights either by protest or any way to show their disapproval of the presidential order in Rivers State.
“Instead of waiting for him, the police went ahead to arrest the president. He has been in detention since yesterday.”
Confirming the development, NDC Spokesperson, Mudiaga Ogboru, told SaharaReporters that he had received two different invitations — one from the Lagos State Police Command and another from the Rivers State Police Command.
“Actually, I received two different invitations, one from Lagos Police Command and one from Rivers State Police Command.
“It is about our planned protest against the emergency rule in Rivers. Since they could not get me, they went ahead to arrest our president in Rivers, who is living in Port Harcourt.”
A copy of the invitation letter obtained by SaharaReporters reads:
“Sir/Madam
“INVITATION TO THE POLICE STATION:
“You are invited to see the Officer in charge SID at the above-named Police Station/Post in connection with a case reported on the 23rd day of MARCH, 2025. It is just a fact-finding invitation and your very co-operation will be much appreciated; on arrival please report to O/C SID of the SID OFFICE, Ikeja LAG.
“Looking forward to seeing you on or before 25TH MAR, 2025:11:00 am.”
The arrest of the NDC president has sparked outrage among activists and civil rights groups, who have described it as an attempt to silence dissenting voices against the controversial emergency rule imposed by President Tinubu in Rivers State.
The Tinubu government’s decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers State has been met with widespread condemnation, with critics arguing that it is a ploy to undermine democracy and suppress opposition in the oil-rich region.