Deborah Akinyosoye
The suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that he has no links with any militant group.
Fubara, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, said suggestions of a link with militant groups were malicious and fake.
He accused the producers of a viral video showing an armed group threatening to destroy oil pipelines of deliberately using his name to link him with the group.
President Bola Tinubu last week described the destruction of national infrastructure as economic sabotage and the reason for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Fubara noted that already the communities where the incidents alledly occurred have reacted, dismissing any claims of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains and reassuring that all critical government assets within their areas are safe, secure and efficiently functioning.
“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 safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country,” Chukwudi said.
“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.”
The governor, however, warned the 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.
He also warned bloggers and social media hirelings to stop an alleged campaign to create atmosphere of tension, chaos and anarchy in the State, stating that their fake reports and posts in the last couple of days have triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the State move forward.
The governor urged security agencies to take note of the fake videos designed to misinform the people, and paint the state in a bad light.