The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it describes as unsubstantiated and reckless allegations by key federal officials linking suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to militant activities in the Niger Delta.
The rights group, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, faulted recent claims made by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, and Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, alleging that Governor Fubara had ties to militant groups responsible for attacks on oil infrastructure. HURIWA described the accusations as “a calculated attempt to smear the governor’s reputation without any shred of credible evidence.”
Recall that the AGF had last week accused Fubara of allegedly ‘tele-guiding militants’ to sabotage oil installations, a claim which has since sparked outrage. Echoing Fagbemi’s position, Onanuga, in an opinion piece, defended the federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, suggesting that intelligence reports pointed to militant threats orchestrated by the governor.
Reacting, HURIWA criticized the federal officials’ reliance on “intelligence” without presenting verifiable proof to back such weighty claims. “These are serious allegations that can destabilize not only Rivers State but the entire Niger Delta, yet no concrete evidence has been made public to substantiate them,” said Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator.
The association accused the federal government of attempting to label Governor Fubara—a man it described as peaceful and committed to governance—as a war monger, noting that such tactics risk inciting unnecessary tension in an already fragile political climate.
HURIWA referenced Governor Fubara’s official statement earlier on Monday, in which he denied any links to militant groups and warned against efforts to associate him with violence.The association commended Fubara, who described as fake and malicious a series of viral videos alleging explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State, urge security agencies to investigate the sources of the videos and prosecute those behind them.
“Governor Fubara’s insistence on peace and constitutional governance has been clear in all his public engagements. It is disheartening to see such character assassination being perpetuated from the highest levels of the federal government,” Onwubiko stated.
HURIWA also noted that if the federal authorities possessed genuine evidence, they would have publicly presented it to Nigerians, instead of resorting to rumour and speculative intelligence. “As far as we are concerned, the dissemination of these unproven claims is not just unprofessional but a dangerous precedent in the democratic space,” the group emphasized.
The rights group challenged both the AGF and Onanuga to refrain from what it termed “pettiness and rumour mongering,” stressing that officials at such sensitive levels of governance ought to rely on hard facts and avoid inflaming public sentiment.
“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 added.
The association further criticized the federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional, unnecessary, and politically motivated. According to HURIWA, the move lacks justification, especially when no clear evidence of war or breakdown of law and order, as required by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, has 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 noted.
It urged Governor Fubara to consider legal action against those making the allegations, stressing that even if the judiciary is seen by some as compromised, it is essential to set the record straight by taking advantage of available legal avenues.
HURIWA concluded by calling on security agencies to conduct a broad-based, transparent, and credible forensic investigation into the recent allegations and incidents in Ogoniland and other parts of Rivers State. The group insisted that such an investigation must not be politically manipulated and should leave no room for doubt as to the actual culprits.
“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 stated.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
March 24, 2025.
