Siminalayi Fubara, the democratically elected governor of Rivers State, who was suspended by the president, has denied any connection to militant groups within the state.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu proclaimed a state of emergency in the South-South state, citing a political crisis and the vandalism of oil installations.
The president suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for a period of six months.
Despite the suspension, reports have emerged of militants destroying oil facilities in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, Fubara claimed that there are ongoing attempts to associate him with the militants responsible for the destruction.
The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nelson Chukwudi said “Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the State or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country.”
He further warned “purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to steer clear of the State, and avoid any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the State.”
The statement reads:
Our attention has, once again, been drawn to a flurry of malicious, fake and imaginary videos of purported explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State.
Virtually all the fake videos have been linked to alleged militant groups in the State, with the creators of such content trying very hard to connect them to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Already, the communities where these incidents are alleged to have occurred have reacted, dismissing any claims of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains, and reassuring that all critical government assets within their areas are safe, secure and efficiently functioning.
For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the State or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country.
The Governor had repeatedly made it clear at every public event that the peace of the State is paramount to him, and that he would pay any price to secure and sustain peace in the State, as it is only in an atmosphere of peace and security that governance and development can thrive.
Governor Fubara vehemently warns purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to steer clear of the State, and avoid any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the State.
It is also important to warn bloggers and social media hirelings to stop, forthwith, their campaign to create atmosphere of tension, chaos and anarchy in the State, as their fake reports and posts in the last couple of days have triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the State move forward.
Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people, and further paint the State in bad light, and take every necessary steps to contain them, and bring those behind them to book.
Signed
Nelson Chukwudi
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Monday, March 24, 2025.
