Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, has publicly denied any connections to militant groups amid allegations that he may have ties to those responsible for recent pipeline explosions and attacks on oil facilities in the region.
Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, issued a statement on Monday reaffirming that Fubara does not endorse any criminal activities in Rivers State or the broader Niger Delta area.
The statement comes in the wake of a series of targeted attacks on oil installations in Rivers, which have occurred alongside an escalating political crisis in the state.
Chukwudi also accused the creators of certain deceptive videos of attempting to link them to alleged militant groups and falsely associate them with Fubara’s supporters.
The Governor urged security agencies to investigate the origins of these videos and take appropriate measures against those responsible.
“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 reads.
“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.
“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.”
