The suspended Rivers State Governor has issued a detailed response to recent allegations accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of complicity in attacks on oil pipelines, as well as claims of negligence in rebuilding the Hallowed Chambers of the State House of Assembly. These allegations, which have circulated widely in recent weeks, have been described as baseless and misleading by the State Government.
In a comprehensive statement released by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the Government sought to set the record straight and dispel the erroneous narratives being propagated. The statement emphasized that Governor Fubara has consistently demonstrated a commitment to peace, security, and the protection of oil facilities in Rivers State.
“Our attention has been drawn to a number of allegations claiming that Governor Fubara did nothing to dissuade criminal groups and militants from making good their threats to attack oil installations in the State,” the statement began. “Ordinarily, we would have ignored these claims as mere results of inadequate information, but it has become imperative to correct the erroneous impression such narratives are creating in the minds of the Nigerian people.”
The statement categorically denied any involvement by Governor Fubara in the reported threats or attacks on oil facilities. It clarified that the Governor has repeatedly emphasized the importance of protecting oil pipelines and other critical infrastructure, both in public forums and during key events such as the handover of an AW139 Helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force between March 3 and 13, 2025.
The statement also highlighted the Governor’s role as a member of the Presidential Committee on the Protection of Oil Installations in the Niger Delta, underscoring his dedication to safeguarding the region’s oil assets. “Governor Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and did not in any way ‘telegraph’ the reported attacks on any oil facility in the State,” the statement asserted.
Furthermore, the statement addressed the controversy surrounding the demolition of the State House of Assembly Chambers on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt. It explained that the decision to demolish the dilapidated structure was based on professional advice and aimed at replacing it with a modern, state-of-the-art facility.
“It is on record that the former Governor and now FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, repeatedly criticized the poor state of the Assembly Complex and rejected requests to rebuild it,” the statement noted. “Immediately after the incident of October 29, 2023, and following experts’ reports, the Government decided to heed the age-old demands of the lawmakers to rebuild the facility. The new Assembly Complex is now nearly 80 percent completed.”
The statement also pointed to Governor Fubara’s efforts to enhance security in the State through significant investments in the welfare and operational equipment of security agencies. These efforts have reportedly contributed to increased oil production and revenue for the country since May 29, 2023.
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“Since inception as the Chief Executive of Rivers State, Governor Fubara has prioritized investment in upscaling the welfare and operational equipment of all personnel and arms of the Armed Forces and security agencies in the State,” the statement read. “This has included building livable office and residential accommodation for officers and men, as well as donating vehicles, gunboats, helicopters, and other critical needs to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of their duties.”
The statement also drew attention to the peaceful conduct of the Local Government election on October 5, 2024, which was marred only by violent attacks on some council secretariats by supporters of the FCT Minister. It urged security agencies to focus on identifying and prosecuting the real perpetrators of violence in the State.
“It is pertinent to draw the attention of security agencies to the fact that LGAs where those attacks were unleashed are the same places that have repeatedly witnessed violence perpetrated by detractors of the Governor Fubara-led administration,” the statement noted. “This is why it is important for the security agencies to focus on the real purveyors of violence, critically evaluate these incidents, and diligently undertake investigations to unravel the elements behind the crimes and bring them to justice without let or hindrance.”
In conclusion, the statement reiterated Governor Fubara’s unwavering commitment to peace and good governance, dismissing the allegations as entirely unfounded.
“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.
