The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted any connection to recent explosions or affiliations with militant factions, cautioning against attempts to manipulate his name to provoke violence or undermine the economy.
Fubara conveyed this in a statement released on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The governor was responding to circulating videos claiming explosions at oil and gas facilities in Rivers State. He labelled the reports as “false” and “malicious,” urging law enforcement agencies to probe the videos’ origins and take necessary action against those disseminating misleading 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.
Fubara emphasised that he has no links to any militant organization and would never endorse criminal acts 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 statement said.
He also urged individuals spreading false information online to stop, alleging that they intentionally try to incite disorder in Rivers State.
Fubara’s statement comes amid increased political tension in Rivers State following his suspension and President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency. While the presidency has cited security issues as the reason for this action, the situation continues to spark extensive discussion nationwide.
