The government of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has firmly dismissed allegations that he neglected to address militant threats and attacks on oil facilities in the state. In a statement released on Thursday, Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, labeled the accusations as unfounded, blaming them on misinformation fed to the Presidency by those shirking their responsibility to provide accurate updates.
Chukwudi stressed that Governor Fubara has remained resolute in promoting peace and protecting vital oil infrastructure. He attributed recent unrest in the Niger Delta to provocative comments made by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during a media interview. According to Chukwudi, Wike’s alleged dismissal of the Ijaw ethnic group’s political influence triggered outrage among Ijaw leaders, youths, and militants, some of whom demanded an apology from the minister.
The statement underscored Fubara’s dedication to safeguarding oil installations, citing his previous work on the Presidential Committee on the Protection of Oil Installations and his frequent calls for peace and economic stability. “Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership by equipping security agencies with modern tools, including vehicles, gunboats, and helicopters, to bolster law enforcement efforts,” Chukwudi noted. “Since taking office on May 29, 2023, his focus on peace has boosted oil production and national revenue.”
On the demolition of the State House of Assembly Chambers in Port Harcourt, Chukwudi clarified that the move followed expert advice. He recalled that Wike, during his time as governor, had criticized the building’s poor condition and rejected pleas for government action. After an incident on October 29, 2023, prompted the demolition, the Rivers State Government began reconstruction, with the project now approximately 80% complete.
Chukwudi also highlighted the peaceful conduct of the October 5, 2024, local government elections as proof of Fubara’s stabilizing influence. However, he condemned subsequent violent attacks on council secretariats, allegedly carried out by supporters of the FCT minister. Urging security agencies to identify the true culprits behind the state’s unrest, Chukwudi warned against unfairly targeting Fubara. “It is absurd to claim that Governor Fubara, a steadfast advocate for peace despite provocations, would support pipeline attacks or any violence,” he concluded.
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