By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, March 24, 2025, distanced himself from the activities of militant groups, both within and outside Rivers state.
His denial is coming against the backdrop of the reported third oil facility explosion that affected the Soku oil Installation in Akuku ,Toru Local Council of the State in the early morning of Sunday March 23.
Before then, the beleaguered State had witnessed twin attacks on Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo ,Gokana Local Government, and an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Council in the second week of March.
The attacks were cited by President Bola Tinubu as part of the reasons for his decision to impose a State of Emergency on Rivers State.
While the President accused Governor Fubara of turning a blind eye to the sabotaging activities of the attackers of the oil facilities, his Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, pointedly, fingered the embattled Governor as an enabler of the explosions.
But, surprisingly, less than a week after easing out the Governor and installing a sole administrator, it was the same disturbing news of explosion that surfaced on Sunday, thus questioning the veracity of the President’s claim concerning the alleged complicity of Fubara.
In a statement issued on Monday by Nelson Chukwudi his Media Aide, Governor Fubara noted that contrary to the narrative being pushed in the Social Media, he has no direct or remote link with any militant group whose intent is to disrupt the fragile peace in Rivers.
“Our attention has, once again, been drawn to a flurry of malicious, fake and imaginary videos of purported explosions at oil and gas facilities in Rivers.
“Virtually all the fake videos have been linked to alleged militant groups in the State with the creators of such contents 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 gas facilities in their domains, and reassuring that critical Government assets within their areas are safe, secure and efficiently functioning.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link with any militant groups ,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 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 any attempt to use his name or capitalize on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the state”, part of the statement reads.
Governor Fubara cautioned social media players on the need to eschew the tendencies to create tensions, chaos and anarchy in.Rivers state or any part of the Niger Delta Region.
He, similarly, urged Security Agencies to be alive to the orchestrated moves by some forces to misinform the public,and portray the State in bad light.
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