PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has vehemently denied allegations of ties to militant groups, amid speculation surrounding militant sponsorship in his state.
Fubara urged caution against attempts to incite violence or economic sabotage in his name, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Fubara said this in a statement released Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, a copy of which was obtained by Persecondnews.
The governor was responding to circulating videos that falsely claimed explosions occurred at oil and gas facilities in the state, which he vehemently described as “fake” and “malicious”.
He urged security agencies to investigate the sources of the videos and take action against those responsible.
The statement reads: “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.”
Fubara said he has no ties to any militant group and would never condone or encourage any criminal activity that could jeopardize peace or economic stability in the state.
“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 said.
He also warned those spreading falsehoods online to stop, accusing them of attempting to create chaos in the state by deliberately misinforming the public.
“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.”
Persecondnews had reported that the state purportedly recorded explosions at oil facilities within a week, sparking concerns over the state’s oil infrastructure.
The latest incident occurred at the Soku gas pipeline along the Soku-Elok area (Abua) in Rivers state, barely 72 hours after retired Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator for Rivers State, held his first security meeting.
Ibas, who served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 during the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, was appointed the state’s administrator by President Bola Tinubu on March 19 to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored.
Persecondnews had reported that Rivers State has been embroiled in political turmoil for nearly two years, fueled by a power struggle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Fubara, culminating in a political impasse.
In response to the brewing crisis, Tinubu had on March 18 declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months.
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