ABUJA – The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has issued a stern warning to state governments, cautioning against actions that could undermine national security and stability.
Speaking on Wednesday, Fagbemi accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of allegedly influencing militants to sabotage oil pipelines in the state. His remarks came while defending President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the ongoing political crisis.
According to the AGF, even if Governor Fubara did not directly order the attacks, his failure to denounce the militants’ threats made him complicit. “We are in a democracy. The governor was seen telegraphing militants, suggesting he would let them know when to act. Even if that was misinterpreted, did he disown them? No. A week later, pipelines were vandalized,” he asserted.
Fagbemi emphasized the strategic importance of Nigeria’s oil sector, warning that any attack on critical infrastructure is not just an assault on Rivers State but on the entire nation. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s judgment formed the legal basis for Tinubu’s declaration of emergency, adding that the decision was necessary to protect vital assets and restore governance in the state.
“The governor and the state house of assembly members had to be suspended because they failed to ensure a conducive atmosphere for governance,” he explained, pushing back against claims that the federal government acted hastily.
He further stated that the situation in Rivers demanded extraordinary measures, noting that the National Assembly now holds the power to either uphold or overturn the president’s decision by denying it the required two-thirds majority.
The AGF’s remarks serve as a clear warning to other state governments, signaling the federal government’s readiness to take strict action against any threat to national stability.
