A new report has revealed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State was wrongly accused of security issues that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
On Tuesday night, President Bola Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a political crisis. He blamed Governor Fubara for demolishing the State House of Assembly building.
As a result, Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended for six months. In their place, retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was appointed as the state’s temporary administrator.
However, many Nigerians have questioned the legality of this decision, and now, the Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group has released a report rejecting the allegations against Fubara.
The report, presented at a press conference in Abuja, stated that there is no evidence linking Governor Fubara to militant groups involved in security breaches and pipeline vandalism in Rivers State. It described these accusations as politically motivated attempts to weaken his government.
Investigations by the coalition found no proof of financial transactions or operational ties between Fubara’s administration and any militant groups. Furthermore, local communities where the alleged incidents took place have denied the claims, saying oil and gas facilities remain safe.
The report also pointed out that political tensions in Rivers State have been worsened by statements made by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers State. His remarks, according to the coalition, have fueled the crisis.
The group urged the government to stop political fights, remove security forces that were deployed unlawfully, and conduct independent investigations into all allegations.
The coalition warned against using false accusations for political gain, stating that such actions threaten democracy in Nigeria. It urged Nigerians and the international community to recognize the real causes of instability in Rivers State, which it linked to power struggles and political rivalry.
The report also praised Fubara for his leadership, commitment to peace, and efforts to protect vital oil installations. It called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure peace and stability in Rivers State.
