The Egbema Elites Forum (EEF) has aligned with the Niger Delta Security Council (NDSC), rejecting the National Assembly’s recent vote of confidence in the current pipeline surveillance framework and calling the process deeply flawed and politically motivated.

In a strongly worded statement issued Thursday, the Forum described the Assembly’s action as “carefully managed political theatre,” arguing that it was designed to legitimize a predetermined outcome rather than address genuine concerns raised by stakeholders across the Niger Delta.

According to the EEF, the process lacked credibility from the outset, as key petitioners—particularly those advocating for decentralization of pipeline surveillance—were excluded. The group insisted that any oversight exercise that fails to hear critical voices cannot claim legitimacy.

“A Scripted Outcome, Not Oversight”

The Forum echoed the NDSC’s position that the proceedings violated the fundamental principle of fair hearing. It criticized the dismissal of petitions on the grounds that petitioners failed to appear, arguing they were never properly invited.

“What the country witnessed was not an investigation,” the statement read. “It was a scripted endorsement.”

EEF further pointed to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing that legislative oversight must not be used to justify processes that deliberately sideline opposing views.

Distorted Narratives and Selective Recognition

Raising concerns about historical revisionism, the Forum warned against what it described as a distorted narrative surrounding oil production in the region. It questioned the elevation of certain actors as key drivers of recovery, noting their past association with periods of instability in the oil sector.

“This is not sound security policy,” the Forum stated. “It is a political construct aimed at concentrating power and economic opportunities in the hands of a few.”

Oversimplification of a Complex System

The EEF also rejected the portrayal of pipeline surveillance as a one-company success story. It emphasized that the system is inherently multi-operator, involving various contractors, community stakeholders, and security agencies.

Reducing the framework to a single-operator narrative, it argued, not only misleads the public but also undermines the contributions of other participants safeguarding critical national assets.

Questions Over Oil Production Data

The Forum raised red flags over inconsistencies in oil production figures presented during the National Assembly session, noting fluctuations between 900,000 and 1.8 million barrels per day without clear methodological distinctions.

It stressed that conflating crude oil output with total liquid production creates confusion and weakens policy credibility.

Allegations of Political Bias

EEF also highlighted what it described as political injustice against certain Niger Delta figures who supported the current administration during the 2023 elections. It claimed that while some individuals are being sidelined, others are benefiting from state-backed narratives.

“Political loyalty should not be rewarded with exclusion,” the Forum stated.

Call for Decentralization and Fresh Review

Reaffirming its stance, the Forum strongly advocated for decentralizing the pipeline surveillance framework, arguing that a more inclusive model would enhance transparency, community ownership, and long-term stability.

It called on the National Assembly to reopen the process and conduct a genuinely transparent review that accommodates all stakeholders, including decentralization advocates.

“A process built on exclusion cannot produce a credible outcome,” the statement concluded. “What has been presented as a vote of confidence remains, in reality, an unresolved question.”

The Forum urged the Federal Government and lawmakers to reconsider their position, emphasizing that only an inclusive and transparent approach can deliver a sustainable and widely accepted pipeline surveillance system in the Niger Delta.