Suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, rejected President Bola Tinubu’s claims during a national broadcast on March 18.
In the broadcast, President Tinubu accused Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly without rebuilding it.
Tinubu also claimed Fubara ignored peace efforts and allowed militants to vandalize pipelines without taking action.
“It is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis…
A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State… Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them…. The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them.”
Governor Fubara, through his Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi, refuted the allegations and defended his actions.
He said he consistently condemned criminal activities and took steps to deter militant attacks on oil infrastructure.
Fubara rejected claims of neglecting the Assembly complex and noted that a new building is nearly complete.
Chukwudi emphasized that Fubara had no link to militant threats and did not instigate attacks on oil assets.
He argued that President Tinubu received misleading information from aides responsible for providing accurate intelligence.
Fubara blamed recent unrest on controversial remarks by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike about the Ijaw people.
He said Wike refused to apologize, which escalated tensions, while Fubara’s supporters remained peaceful despite provocations.
Fubara highlighted his repeated commitment to protecting oil installations and ensuring public safety at various public events.
He cited his support for security agencies, including vehicles, equipment, and buildings, to improve their efficiency.
Fubara said his efforts increased oil production and boosted national revenue since he took office in May 2023.
He explained that experts advised the Assembly demolition after a fire incident in October 2023.
Fubara said Wike had criticized the Assembly complex’s condition and refused to renovate it during his tenure.
He noted that the new Assembly complex is about 80% complete and will soon be ready for use.
Fubara accused Wike’s supporters of sparking violence during the October 2024 local government elections.
He stressed that his own supporters avoided reprisals and maintained calm during the unrest.
Fubara urged security agencies to investigate those responsible for repeated violence in specific local government areas.
He called on them to stop targeting his administration and focus on the actual perpetrators of the crimes.
“It is clearly untrue that somebody who has all the while preached peace and non-violence, even in the face of extreme provocations, would be ‘telegraphing attacks on oil pipelines’ and breaching the peace he has worked so hard to promote and sustain for the good of the people of the State,” the statement concluded.
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