SUSPENDED RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR, Siminalayi Fubara, made a defiant public appearance on Monday, pushing back against allegations linking him to militant activities in Rivers State. Addressing a gathering of supporters in Port Harcourt, the embattled governor dismissed claims that his loyalists were behind recent explosions at oil and gas installations, calling them “malicious fabrications meant to destabilise the state.”
The Explainer gathered that Fubara’s remarks follow a growing political crisis that has paralysed governance in the oil-rich state. His suspension by President Bola Tinubu, alongside that of his deputy and the state’s lawmakers, has heightened uncertainty, leaving Rivers State under the control of a federally appointed sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.).
Recent developments suggest that Rivers State is not just facing a power struggle but a broader crisis affecting governance, security, and the economy. Explosions at key oil facilities in the state have triggered national security concerns, with Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, alleging that Fubara “tele-guided” militants to attack pipelines.
Fagbemi argued that while the governor may not have directly orchestrated the sabotage, his failure to publicly disavow militant threats contributed to the escalating violence.
“Let us say it was false. Did he come out to disown them? The answer is no,” the minister said, referencing reports that Fubara had warned of unrest before the incidents.
However, Fubara has categorically denied these claims, reiterating that he has “no link to any militant group” and would “never encourage any criminal activity that could threaten peace or economic stability.”
The Explainer reported that local communities in the affected areas have also dismissed the explosion reports as fabrications, insisting that oil and gas infrastructure remains intact.
Rivers State is a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil wealth, with the state housing critical energy infrastructure, including major pipelines and export terminals. The Explainer gathered that disruptions in the region could have far-reaching economic consequences.
Nigeria’s heavy reliance on oil revenue, accounting for over 70% of its national income, has been significantly impacted by declining production due to pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reported substantial losses attributed to these issues. For instance, between January 2021 and February 2022, Nigeria lost approximately $3.27 billion due to vandalism. Additionally, the NUPRC highlighted that crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism have been particularly challenging, especially affecting terminals at Bonny, Brass, and Forcados.
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Recent incidents, such as the explosion on the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Rivers State, have further threatened Nigeria’s oil production. The TNP, being one of the country’s largest oil pipelines, plays a crucial role in transporting crude oil. Disruptions like this could exacerbate revenue shortfalls and strain government finances.
To address these challenges, the Nigerian House of Representatives has initiated investigations into the frequent occurrences of oil and gas pipeline vandalism. This move aims to understand the root causes and develop strategies to mitigate further economic losses.
These developments underscore the critical need for enhanced security measures and infrastructural integrity to safeguard Nigeria’s oil production and, by extension, its economy.
According to Nigeria’s crude oil production data, the country’s average daily production declined to 1.46 million barrels per day (bpd) in February 2025, as reported by OPEC based on direct communication with Nigerian authorities: .
Additionally, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reported that the daily average production in February was 1,671,953 barrels per day, comprising both crude oil (1,465,006 bpd) and condensate (206,948 bpd): .
These figures indicate that Nigeria’s crude oil output fell below its OPEC quota of 1.5 million bpd in February 2025, which could have implications for the country’s foreign exchange earnings and economic stability.
The Wike Factor: How the Fubara-Wike Rift Fuels the Political Deadlock
At the heart of Rivers State’s political crisis is a bitter power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The the rift, which began as a quiet disagreement over governance priorities, escalated into a full-blown confrontation when Fubara’s administration allegedly demolished the state House of Assembly complex in December 2023.
The crisis worsened after 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Legal battles ensued over their legitimacy, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, 2025, which upheld their positions but criticised Fubara’s governance approach.
The court warned that Rivers State had effectively “collapsed into one-man rule” due to the lack of a functioning legislature.
Despite these setbacks, Fubara has refused to back down. His public appearance in Port Harcourt was a show of resilience, sending a message to both his supporters and political adversaries that he remains a force in the state’s power dynamics.
With Rivers State now under federal control, questions remain about how the crisis will be resolved. Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration suspends all elected officials for six months, but it is unclear what happens afterward.
The Explainer reported that Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) has been tasked with restoring order, but whether his administration will be accepted by political stakeholders in the state remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, economic concerns persist. The business community in Rivers State has expressed fears that prolonged political instability could deter investment and slow economic growth.
