Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has strongly denied any affiliation with militant groups, warning against attempts to incite violence or economic sabotage in his name.
The governor’s comments followed the circulation of false videos alleging explosions at oil and gas installations in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 24, by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, Fubara described the videos as “fake” and “malicious,” adding that they were part of a broader misinformation campaign intended to cause unrest.
The governor’s 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.”
Fubara emphasised that the communities where the alleged incidents were said to have occurred had already dismissed the claims, assuring that all critical government assets in their areas were safe, secure, and functioning efficiently.
The statement continued: “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 the safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country.”
The governor reiterated his commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state, which he stressed was vital for governance and development.
“The peace of the state is paramount to me, and I would pay any price to secure and sustain peace in the state. Only in an atmosphere of peace and security can governance and development thrive.”
Fubara also issued a stern warning to those seeking to exploit the current political climate for violence, stating: “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.”
The governor condemned the spread of false information, accusing those behind the fake videos of trying to destabilise the region. He called on security agencies to investigate the origin of these misleading videos and take appropriate action against those responsible.
“Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people, and further paint the state in a bad light, and take every necessary step to contain them and bring those behind them to book,” Fubara concluded.
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