Rivers Crisis: Suspended Governor Fubara Denies Militant Ties Amid Pipeline Attacks
Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has firmly denied any association with militant groups following allegations linking him to recent attacks on oil infrastructure in the region.
In recent days, Rivers State has witnessed a surge in pipeline explosions and assaults on oil facilities, intensifying an already tense political climate in the South-South state. The unrest coincides with a deepening political crisis that has drawn national attention.
Amid growing speculation, Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Fubara, issued a statement on Monday, categorically rejecting claims that the governor is connected to any criminal activity. He accused certain groups of fabricating videos in an attempt to frame Fubara’s supporters as instigators of the violence.
“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,” the statement read. “Virtually all these videos have been linked to alleged militant groups, with their creators desperately trying to associate them with Governor Fubara’s supporters.”
Chukwudi further asserted that affected communities have already debunked claims of attacks, assuring the public that critical infrastructure remains intact and operational.
For clarity, the governor’s office emphasized that Fubara has no ties to militant organizations and does not condone any action that threatens the peace and security of Rivers State or the broader Niger Delta. The statement reiterated the governor’s commitment to ensuring stability, emphasizing that “only in an atmosphere of peace and security can governance and development thrive.”
The embattled governor also urged security agencies to investigate the sources of the alleged fake videos and hold those responsible accountable.
Fubara’s denial comes in the wake of a controversial declaration by President Bola Tinubu, who imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State last week. Citing the protracted political crisis, Tinubu suspended Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all state House of Assembly members for six months. In their place, the president appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator.
The emergency rule has sparked intense debate, with the Senate and House of Representatives granting swift but contentious approval of Tinubu’s directive.
