Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has disassociated himself from any link with militant groups, cautioning against attempts to instigate violence or economic sabotage in his name.
Fubara made this known in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The governor was reacting to viral videos of explosions at gas and oil facilities in the state, which he described as “fake” and “malicious.”
He appealed to security agencies to investigate the source of the videos and bring the perpetrators to book.
The statement read, “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.
Nearly all the fabricated videos have been traced to alleged militant groups in the state, with creators of such contents going all out to attribute them to the supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.”.
“Already, the communities where these incidents are purported to have occurred have reacted, dismissing any rumor of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains, and reassuring that all critical government assets within their jurisdictions are safe, secure and functional.”
Fubara emphasized that he is not a member of any militant group and will not enable any criminal activity that has the potential to harm peace or economic stability.
The statement also contained, “To set the record straight, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no affiliation with any militant group, does not even consider such an affiliation, and has no interest in encouraging any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the state or Niger Delta, to engage in any activity that is harmful to the peace of individuals or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the nation.”.
The governor had consistently made it known at every public forum that the peace of the state is of paramount importance to him, and that he would pay any price to ensure and maintain peace in the state, as it is only in an environment of peace and safety that governance and development can flourish.”.
“Governor Fubara sternly warns purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to desist from coming into the state and not to attempt any move to use his name or ride on the ongoing political crisis to create trouble in the state.”
He also warned the purveyors of fake news on social media to desist, accusing them of trying to create confusion in the state.
Security agencies need to be keen on such fraudulent videos produced to deceive the masses, and once again portray the state in a negative light, and do everything they can to arrest their propagation, and take their producers to court,” he said.
