Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted President Bola Tinubu’s allegation that he failed to prevent militant attacks on oil pipelines in the state.
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In a statement issued on Thursday night, Fubara’s spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi, dismissed the claims, stating that the governor had no involvement in the threats or attacks on oil facilities. He emphasized that Fubara neither supported nor encouraged any militant activities in the region.
The statement suggested that the militants’ actions were a response to a comment by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who reportedly said that Ijaw people were a minority in Rivers State and other South-South states except Bayelsa.
Fubara also addressed accusations regarding the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex. He explained that the decision was based on professional advice and assured that reconstruction efforts were already underway.
Furthermore, the governor accused Wike’s allies of orchestrating violent attacks on local government council secretariats during the October 2024 council elections. He urged security agencies to take action against those responsible for the incidents.
The crisis in Rivers State deepened after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, suspending Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all House of Assembly members for six months. Citing recent explosions and pipeline vandalism, Tinubu blamed Fubara for failing to prevent militant attacks and mismanaging governance. The House of Representatives and Senate later approved the emergency rule.
