Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Organisations (CNDCSOs) don suspend dia planned peaceful mass protest against di newly introduced Tax Law, after wetin dem describe as positive and constructive engagement with relevant Federal Government authorities.
Di protest, wey suppose hold on February 9, 2026, for Abuja and different states across di Niger Delta, na to protest wetin dem see as negative socio-economic effect of di new tax regime on oil-producing communities. According to di coalition, di law fit worsen poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation and poor infrastructure for di region.
In a joint statement wey Ambassador Okporu, Ebi Augustine and Comrade Jesse Birinumughan sign, di coalition leaders say continuous consultations and interventions from key stakeholders inside di Federal Government don help calm tensions, make dem suspend di protest for di interest of peace, stability and national dialogue.
Di coalition say di suspension na goodwill gesture to allow di Federal Government enough time to address concerns raised by civil society groups and other critical stakeholders from di Niger Delta.
“Our decision to step back from di planned protest base on assurances wey we receive say government go review our grievances through inclusive engagement and transparent process,” di statement talk. “We believe say dialogue still be di best way to solve policy matters wey concern di whole nation.”
CNDCSOs stress say even though taxation dey important for national development, any policy wey dey affect people livelihood must be people-focused, consultative and sensitive to di unique challenges of di Niger Delta, wey don suffer environmental and social damage from oil exploration for many years.
Di coalition also emphasise say dia demands — including review of di new tax law, strong stakeholder engagement, public sensitisation and transparency in how tax revenue go dey used — still stand and no be negotiable, even as dem choose more diplomatic approach for now.
Dem warn say di suspension no mean say dem don abandon civic responsibility, adding say CSOs go continue to monitor developments and reserve di right to mobilise peaceful protest again if promised engagements no produce clear results.
Di group also praise security agencies and government institutions for keeping communication channels open. Dem reveal say dem earlier send copies of di protest notice to di National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Ministers of Defence and Interior, and di Department of State Services (DSS).
Observers say di suspension of di protest don reduce tension both for Niger Delta and Abuja, and don open space for dialogue and possible policy review in line with democratic principles and constitutional governance.
