Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted allegations linking him to militant groups or any involvement in the recent spate of gas explosions that have rocked the state. In a statement released on Monday, March 24, Fubara dismissed the claims as baseless and warned against attempts to incite violence or economic sabotage in his name.
The crisis in Rivers State escalated following a series of explosions at oil and gas facilities, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the state. The emergency declaration was accompanied by the suspension of Governor Fubara and several others, amid growing concerns over security and economic stability in the oil-rich region.
According to reports by Legit.ng, one of the explosions occurred at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area. This incident followed a major blast at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, which had already raised alarm among residents and authorities. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the most recent detonation on Sunday, March 23, marking the third energy facility explosion within a week in Rivers State.
The sequence of events leading to Fubara’s suspension began with the first explosion in the Ogoni area, followed by another in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. The federal government responded by enforcing emergency measures to curb further damage and potential security threats. President Tinubu, referencing the second explosion, justified the emergency declaration as a necessary step to protect national economic interests and ensure stability in the Niger Delta.
Reacting to these developments, Fubara vehemently denied any association with militant activities, describing the accusations against him as politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation. His Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, conveyed this position in an official statement from Port Harcourt, emphasizing the governor’s commitment to peace and economic development.
Fubara also addressed circulating videos that allegedly depicted explosions at oil and gas installations in Rivers State, labeling them as “fake” and “malicious.” He urged security agencies to investigate the sources of these videos and take appropriate action against those disseminating misleading information. The embattled governor stressed that communities in the affected areas have also dismissed the claims, assuring that critical infrastructure remains intact and functional.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, nor does he contemplate any such association,” the statement read. “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 capitalize on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the state.”
With tensions running high, stakeholders are calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the explosions. Security agencies are expected to intensify their efforts to determine the real perpetrators behind the attacks and ensure that Rivers State does not become a battleground for political or economic conflicts.
As the situation unfolds, the fate of Governor Fubara and the political landscape of Rivers State remains uncertain. The federal government’s emergency response will be closely scrutinized as the nation watches how authorities handle the unfolding crisis in one of Nigeria’s most crucial oil-producing states.
