Political Showdown: Fubara Exposes Wike’s Alleged Role In Pipeline Attacks Amid Tinubu’s Accusations

Tinubu had suspended Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, citing governance failures and appointing a sole administrator to oversee the state.

In his speech, Tinubu accused Fubara of unjustifiably demolishing the Rivers State House of Assembly complex on December 13, 2023, and failing to rebuild it 14 months later. He also claimed that despite his personal efforts to mediate the crisis, his interventions were ignored.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara dismissed these claims, stating that the Assembly complex was already 80% rebuilt.

Fubara also denied allegations that he failed to prevent militant threats to oil installations, attributing the recent pipeline attack to inflammatory remarks made by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. He claimed that Wike’s controversial comments about the Ijaws provoked tensions, and his refusal to apologize worsened the situation.

The statement emphasized that Governor Fubara had consistently prioritized peace and security in the state. It cited his role in the Presidential Committee on Oil Installations and his administration’s investments in security agencies, including the provision of vehicles, gunboats, and helicopters.

Fubara also challenged the claim that he acted recklessly in demolishing the Assembly complex, noting that Wike himself had previously criticized its poor condition and rejected requests to renovate it during his tenure. According to Fubara, expert assessments after the October 29, 2023 incident recommended rebuilding the structure, leading to its demolition and subsequent reconstruction, which is now nearing completion.