Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Suspended governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has denied the allegations that he failed to prevent militant threats and attacks on oil installations in the state, stating that such claims were misleading and based on misinformation.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu when he declared a statement of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Fubara and his deputy last Tuesday, had accused the suspended governor of “not taking any action to curtail incidents of pipeline vandalization in the state.”
“Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now not disowned them,” President Tinubu had said.
Reacting, the suspended governor in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, said the government emphasized that Fubara has always prioritized peace, security, and the protection of critical oil infrastructure in the state.
“Governor Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and did not in any way ‘telegraph’ the reported attacks on any oil facility in the State,” the statement said.
He further clarified that the backlash from stakeholders in the Niger Delta, including the Ijaw National Congress, youth groups, and militants, was triggered by comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. During a live media chat, Wike allegedly dismissed the Ijaw people as a political minority, stating that they were not the only ones capable of blowing up pipelines.
“Most of the Ijaw groups and leaders even demanded an apology from the FCT Minister, which he rebuffed,” the statement read.
Fubara maintained that he has consistently advocated for the protection of oil installations. “At every forum, including the handover of the AW139 Helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing oil facilities and maintaining peace in the state.”
He highlighted Fubara’s contributions to security, including investments in equipment, housing, and operational support for the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Navy, and other security agencies.
“Since assuming office, Governor Fubara has provided gunboats, helicopters, and vehicles to security agencies, ensuring they have the tools necessary to protect the state,” the statement noted, adding that these efforts have led to increased oil production and revenue generation.
Addressing claims that the governor arbitrarily demolished the Rivers State House of Assembly complex without rebuilding it, Chukwudi explained that the decision was based on expert recommendations.
“It must be noted that immediately after the incident of October 29, 2023, and experts’ reports, the government decided to heed lawmakers’ long-standing demands to rebuild the Assembly Complex. The project is now nearly 80 percent completed,” he stated.
He also referenced past remarks by Wike, who, as governor, had criticized the poor condition of the Assembly complex but refused to renovate it.
The government also accused supporters of the FCT Minister of orchestrating violent attacks in local government areas and attempting to frame Governor Fubara’s administration.
“Supporters of the FCT Minister violently attacked and razed facilities in some local government secretariats after the most peaceful local government elections in the state on October 5, 2024,” Chukwudi alleged.
He urged security agencies to “focus on the real purveyors of violence” and conduct thorough investigations to identify those responsible for past disturbances.
Dismissing claims that the governor is linked to violence or oil pipeline sabotage, the statement concluded: “It is clearly untrue that someone who has all along preached peace and non-violence, even in the face of extreme provocation, would be ‘telegraphing attacks on oil pipelines.’”
