Embattled Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted allegations linking him with militant groups in the Niger Delta region.
Fubara distances himself from a viral video linking his supporters to a Niger Delta militant group and the explosion of oil and gas facilities in the state
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the Fubara condemned the circulation of fabricated videos describing it as fake and malicious attempts to incite tension in the state.
The statement clarified that affected communities have debunked the claims, assuring that all critical infrastructure remains intact and operational.
According to the statement, the communities where the purported incidents are alleged to have occurred, have already dismissed “any claims of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains”.
“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 elements to undertake actions that threaten peace, security, or the economy,” the statement read.
“The Governor had repeatedly made it clear at every public event that the peace of the State is paramount to him, and that he would pay any price to secure and sustain peace in the State, as it is only in an atmosphere of peace and security that governance and development can thrive”.
He also warned purveyors of violence and economic sabotage in the state to steer clear and avoid any attempt to use the governor’s name “or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the State”.
“It is also important to warn bloggers and social media hirelings to stop, forthwith, their campaign to create atmosphere of tension, chaos and anarchy in the State, as their fake reports and posts in the last couple of days have triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the State move forward.
“Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people, and further paint the State in bad light, and take every necessary steps to contain them, and bring those behind them to book”, the statement added.
