A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has launched a “No Clean-Up, No Vote” campaign, calling for urgent intervention by the Federal Government over ongoing gas seepage that threatens lives and livelihoods in Bille Kingdom, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The coalition, operating under the umbrella of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the demand while presenting a position paper titled “Justice for Bille: A Call for National Emergency That Cannot Wait” at the Social Action office in Port Harcourt.

The groups urged that Bille be declared a national environmental, safety and public health emergency, noting that the death toll linked to the gas seepage has reportedly reached eleven since the incident began in February 2026.

Speaking at the event, representatives underscored the severe impact of the gas eruption on human lives, the environment, public health and livelihoods.

Those who spoke included Dr. Emem Okon, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development Centre; Kentebe Ebiaridor, Programme Manager at Environmental Rights Action and Coordinator of Oilwatch International; Dr. Prince Ekpere, Programme Manager at Social Action; and Dr. Bieye Briggs, Executive Director of the Community Environmental Protection and Health Foundation.

They explained that the continuous gas eruption has made daily activities increasingly hazardous for residents, especially cooking, as gas escaping from the ground and water sources has triggered fires and explosions.

They recounted an explosion linked to cooking in the community, illustrating the dangers residents face even inside their homes. They also highlighted the loss of lives and property, along with the destruction of residents’ means of livelihood.

The coalition emphasised the need for urgent government action to prevent further casualties and deliver lasting relief to affected residents.

They insisted that residents have no reason to back political candidates who fail to show genuine commitment to resolving the crisis.

The coalition said the campaign, which is being expanded across the Niger Delta, seeks to demand environmental justice and accountability from political leaders.

Its demands include the immediate relocation of residents to safer environments, provision of clean drinking water and healthcare, emergency funding for relevant regulatory agencies, identification and stoppage of the gas source, publication of environmental test results and compensation for affected families.

The group also called for the creation of a Presidential Task Force to coordinate efforts to resolve the crisis and ensure oil and gas operators are held accountable.

They expressed hope that President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Rivers State would provide an opportunity to draw national attention to the plight of Bille residents and secure action on their demands.

The coalition maintained that its support for political parties and candidates would depend on their willingness to present clear, realistic and time-bound plans for environmental clean-up and restoration across the Niger Delta.

It insisted that the people of the region would no longer accept political promises without concrete action, declaring that where there is no clean-up, there will be no vote.