By Sir Similanayi Fubara, has responded to allegations made by President Bola Tinubu in his national address declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Background:
President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, appointing a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
In his address, Tinubu accused Fubara of:
Demolishing the Rivers State House of Assembly on December 13, 2023, and failing to rebuild it.
Collapsing the legislative arm to govern without oversight.
Ignoring interventions aimed at resolving the crisis.
Allowing militants to threaten violence, referencing security reports of recent pipeline vandalism.
Fubara’s Response:
Through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, on Thursday, Fubara denied the allegations, stating they stemmed from inadequate information reaching the presidency.
He clarified that his government has been actively working to discourage criminal activities and protect oil installations.
He asserted that the Rivers State House of Assembly complex is currently under reconstruction and is about 80% complete.
He attributed the unrest to inflammatory remarks made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike about the Ijaw people, which escalated tensions.
He reaffirmed his commitment to peace and security, highlighting his role in the Presidential Committee on the Protection of Oil Installations and his administration’s investment in security infrastructure, including accommodation, vehicles, gunboats, and helicopters for security agencies.
Fubara stated:
“It is important to clarify that Governor Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and also did not in any way ‘telegraph’ the reported attacks on any oil facility in the State.”
