Fubara Reacts to Tinubu’s Allegations on Rivers Crises

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Sir Similanayi Fubara, has responded to the allegations made by President Bola Tinubu in his broadcast, which led to the declaration of a State of Emergency in the state.

In the address, President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, appointing a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs. Tinubu accused Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly without justification on December 13, 2023, and failing to rebuild it for 14 months. The President also alleged that the governor had collapsed the legislative arm to govern without oversight, and that militants, who threatened violence against perceived enemies of the governor, were not disowned by Fubara. Security reports of pipeline vandalism were also cited by the President.

In his response, Fubara, through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, denied the accusations, calling them inaccurate and claiming that they stemmed from a lack of proper information reaching the presidency. He emphasized that his administration actively worked to discourage criminal activities and protect oil installations, and stated that the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was under reconstruction and about 80% complete.

Fubara further attributed some of the unrest in the state to inflammatory remarks made by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, regarding the Ijaw people. Wike’s comments, describing Ijaws as a minority within a minority and dismissing their political power, had sparked tensions, according to Fubara. He explained that the refusal of Wike to apologize for these comments aggravated the situation.

The suspended governor also highlighted his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and protecting oil facilities, pointing out his role in the Presidential Committee on the Protection of Oil Installations. He emphasized investments in security, including providing accommodation, vehicles, gunboats, and helicopters for security agencies.

Addressing the allegations about the demolition of the State House of Assembly, Fubara clarified that he acted based on professional advice and guidance. He noted that the former governor, now FCT Minister, had criticized the dilapidated state of the Assembly Complex, and that the demolition was a necessary step toward rebuilding the facility with a state-of-the-art design, which is now nearly 80% complete.

Fubara also mentioned violent attacks on local government facilities after the peaceful Local Government election in October 2024, which he attributed to detractors of his administration. He called for security agencies to focus on the real perpetrators of violence, urging them to investigate the incidents thoroughly.

In closing, Fubara dismissed the claim that he was “telegraphing attacks on oil pipelines,” asserting that it was false and that his administration had consistently preached peace and non-violence, even in the face of extreme provocations.