Federal Govt indicts Fubara in bombing of oil pipeline
The Federal Government yesterday placed the blame for the declaration of a state of emergency firmly on the doorsteps of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi accused Fubara of fueling the destruction of oil pipelines by suspected militants.
He said the governor not only failed to stop the assailants, but he indirectly encouraged them.
“There was what I would call telegraphing of the militants by the governor,” Fagbemi said.
“He initially suggested that he would beckon on them to let them know when it was time to act.
“Even if we assume that was just rhetoric, did he come out to disown them when they took action? The answer is no.
“And barely a week after, we saw the vandalisation of oil pipelines,” Fagbemi said.
During his broadcast on Tuesday night, citing security reports, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Fubara did not take any action to curtail those involved in the vandalisation of pipelines.
The AGF spoke with reporters at the State House in Abuja 24 hours after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended the governor, his deputy and the House of Assembly for an initial six months.
But Fubara yesterday pleaded his innocence.
President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as the state’s sole administrator to restore stability.
Ibas was sworn in by the President yesterday. The National Assembly is expected to approve the declaration of emergency today.
The emergency declaration followed Tuesday’s explosion at the critical Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) around Bodo, Gokana local government area in Ogoni land.
Another explosion also occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni local government.
The AGF was referring to Fubara’s comments at the inauguration of Government Staff House Quarters on March 3.
The governor had said: “People should know that because no matter how we have been fooled in this state, it has gotten to a point where this state has decided to take their destiny in their hands.
“In as much as I don’t subscribe to violence, when the time comes for us to take a decision, I will lead the cause for that decision.
“Let me say it again, I am not scared of anything. The worst that will happen is for me to leave the office. It is not that I am leaving the earth.
“Is it going to stop me from existing? So, I am not bothered about that. But the right thing must be done and said when the opportunity is given to us.
“Let me thank everyone, especially our youths, be strong, don’t be perturbed. I assure you that at the right time, you will get instructions.”
Fagbemi stressed the importance of oil infrastructure to the economy, warning that anyone involved in its destruction is not just an enemy of Rivers, but of the country.
He defended the emergency declaration, saying it was necessary to prevent a total collapse of governance in the oil-rich state.
He noted that the President had exhausted all diplomatic efforts before taking the extraordinary step of protecting lives and critical infrastructure.
“I think the President has acted timeously. He has given an opportunity to all the parties involved to make amends. Before then, he assembled them, tried to mediate,” Fagbemi said.
