Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied any involvement in recent explosions or ties to militant groups, warning against attempts to use his name to incite violence or sabotage the economy.
Fubara made this known in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The governor was reacting to viral videos alleging explosions at oil and gas installations in Rivers State. He described the reports as “fake” and “malicious”, urging security agencies to investigate the sources of the videos and take action against those spreading false information.
“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,” the statement read.
Fubara stressed that he has no connection to any militant group and would never encourage criminal activities that could disrupt peace or economic stability.
“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.”
He also called on those spreading misinformation online to desist, accusing them of deliberately trying to create unrest in Rivers State.
“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 step to contain them, and bring those behind them to book,” he stated.
Fubara’s statement comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State, following his suspension and the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu. While the presidency has cited security concerns as the reason for the move, the situation continues to generate widespread debate across the country.
