Top federal authorities recently made accusations that Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara was involved in militant operations in the Niger Delta. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) sharply rejected the assertions, calling them politically driven and without merit.Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA's National Coordinator, criticized charges made by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in a statement released on Monday, stating that there was insufficient evidence to support the assertions.
The scandal started when the AGF accused Governor Fubara of using terrorist proxies to plan assaults on oil infrastructure, a charge that has subsequently come under heavy fire. Citing intelligence assessments that allegedly connected the governor to security concerns, Onanuga justified the federal government's decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State in a different opinion article.
However, HURIWA dismissed the assertions, accusing the federal officials of engaging in “rumour-based governance” rather than relying on verified intelligence. The group challenged the AGF and Onanuga to present hard facts rather than fueling tensions with speculative claims.
“It is disgraceful that at a time when Nigerians are yearning for stability and good governance, top officials of the federal government are busy engaging in baseless accusations, further tarnishing Nigeria’s image before the international community,” the statement read.
HURIWA argued that Governor Fubara consistently demonstrated a commitment to peace and governance, citing his recent public statements denying any ties to militant groups. The governor also dismissed viral videos alleging explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State as “fake and malicious,” urging security agencies to investigate their origins.
The rights group echoed this call, demanding a transparent forensic investigation into the allegations and incidents in Rivers State. It insisted that such an investigation must be free of political manipulation to ensure that the actual culprits—if any—are identified.
Beyond the allegations, HURIWA criticised the federal government’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as “unconstitutional, unnecessary, and politically motivated.” The group argued that no clear evidence of a war-like situation or complete breakdown of law and order—conditions required under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution—had been demonstrated.
“The AGF and other federal agents must be reminded that the Supreme Court judgment, which is now being used to justify executive overreach in Rivers State, does not license rumour-based governance,” HURIWA stated.
In response to the ongoing political tension, HURIWA urged Governor Fubara to consider legal action against those making unsubstantiated allegations against him. While acknowledging concerns about the judiciary’s independence, the rights group emphasized the importance of setting the record straight through legal channels.
“The dangerous game of labeling peaceful citizens as militants without evidence is not only reckless but risks plunging Rivers State into avoidable chaos. Nigeria’s democracy deserves better,” the group concluded.
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