Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted claims linking him to criminal activities revolving round oil and gas exploitation in some parts of the state.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fubara, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He expressed that circulating videos of purported explosions on oil and gas facilities in the state were fake and malicious, and were deliberately created to tarnish the Governor’s reputation.
Moreso, he added that the communities involved have dismissed such claims, and has assured that government properties in their environs are safe and secure, further proving the Governor’s innocence.
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The 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.
“Already, the communities where these incidents are alleged to have 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.
Moreover, Fubara has assured the public of his commitment to the security and peace of Rivers state, adding that he would pay any price to achieve peace in the state.
“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,” Fubara stated.
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He however warned perpetrators of violence and economic sabotage against attempts to incite violence in his name.
Moreso, the suspended Governor urged security agencies to do anything in their capacity to stop the misleading informations and bring perpetrators to justice
“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 statement reads.
“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 step to contain them, and bring those behind them to book,” The statement said.
