The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has released a statement to address allegations claiming that the suspended governor did nothing to prevent militant attacks on oil installations in the state.

The statement, signed by Nelson Chukwudi, clarifies that Fubara has consistently promoted peace and non-violence, even in the face of extreme provocations.

According to Chukwudi, Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and did not “telegraph” the reported attacks on any oil facility in the state.

He rather clarifies that the reaction of stakeholders in the Niger Delta, especially elders, chiefs, women, the Ijaw National Congress, its youth wing, the IYC, as well as militants, among others, was triggered by remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

He explained that the reaction stemmed from a live media chat where Wike dismissed Ijaws as a minority of the minorities and powerless in the Nigerian polity, saying that Ijaws are not the only ones who are militants and can blow up pipelines.

“Governor Fubara has consistently made it clear that his administration is committed to the peace, security, and safety of oil facilities in the state. On several occasions, including project commissioning events and the handover of the AW139 helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force, Governor Fubara emphasised the need to protect oil pipelines and other facilities in the state.

He further addressed allegations that Governor Fubara demolished the State House of Assembly complex without rebuilding it.

The governor’s office explains that the demolition was done based on professional advice and guidance and that a new state-of-the-art assembly complex is nearly 80 per cent completed.

The Rivers State Government has called on security agencies to focus on the real purveyors of violence and to critically evaluate incidents of violence in the state.

The statement emphasizes that Fubara has worked hard to promote and sustain peace in the state and that allegations suggesting otherwise are untrue

He said: “Since inception as the Chief Executive of Rivers State, Governor Fubara has prioritised investment in upscaling the welfare and operational equipment of all personnel and arms of the Armed Forces and security agencies in the state.

“He has built livable office and residential accommodation for officers and men and donated vehicles, gunboats, helicopters, and other critical needs of the formations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of their duties.