Rivers Emergency Rule: Fubara Erroneously Implicated On Security Issues, Says Coalition Report

A new report released on Wednesday by the Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group exonerated Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of allegations that he is involved in security issues that led to the state’s declaration of an emergency.

The report, released at a press conference in Abuja, dismissed allegations that Governor Fubara has ties to militant groups responsible for pipeline vandalism and other security breaches, calling them “politically motivated fabrications” intended to destabilise his administration.

The Coalition’s investigation, as detailed in its report on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, found that the allegations against Governor Fubara are part of a larger pattern of democratic subversion in Nigeria’s volatile political landscape.

“We are convinced that the allegations against him appear to be politically motivated, fuelled by power struggles and deep-seated rivalries rather than having any factual basis,” the report stated.

“This report has methodically dismantled the unfounded allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, revealing them as politically motivated fabrications.”

The report directly implicates those attempting to undermine the governor for personal gain, stating, “The real instigators of instability in Rivers State are those who prioritise personal vendettas over public welfare.”

The Coalition urged all stakeholders, both within Nigeria and internationally, to recognise the dangers of using baseless accusations for political gain.

They emphasised that the attempt to undermine Governor Fubara’s character is “not only an attack on his personal integrity, but also an affront to the democratic values that Nigeria claims to uphold.”

The report also chastised the FCT Minister for exacerbating regional tensions with inflammatory remarks, reminding public officials of their ethical and constitutional obligations to promote national unity.

“The people of Rivers State deserve peace, stability, and development—not a manufactured crisis motivated by political greed and ambition,” the Coalition stated.

The group emphasised Governor Fubara’s consistent commitment to peace, security, and good governance, citing his calls for the protection of critical oil installations and his transparent governance style as evidence that contradicted the allegations levelled against him.

Furthermore, the Coalition argued that Rivers State’s security challenges are not the governor’s fault, but rather “symptomatic of a broader historical struggle for equity and justice in the Niger Delta.”

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group urged the international community, civil society, and all democracy advocates to rally behind Rivers State and keep it from devolving into anarchy.

They declared unequivocally that “Governor Fubara must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency,” and that his release is “not just a defence of his personality, but a defence of democracy itself.”