The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has warned state governments against actions that could threaten national security and stability.
On Wednesday, Fagbemi accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of allegedly encouraging militants to sabotage oil pipelines. He made these claims while defending President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the ongoing political crisis.
According to Fagbemi, even if Fubara did not directly order the attacks, his silence on 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 stated.
He stressed the importance of Nigeria’s oil sector, warning that attacks on critical infrastructure affect not just Rivers State but the entire nation. He argued that Tinubu’s declaration of emergency was legally justified by the Supreme Court’s ruling and necessary to safeguard vital assets and governance.
“The governor and the state house of assembly members had to be suspended because they failed to ensure a conducive atmosphere for governance,” he said, rejecting claims that the federal government acted hastily.
Fagbemi added that the situation required extraordinary measures, explaining that the National Assembly now has the authority to either support or overturn the president’s decision with a two-thirds majority vote.
His remarks serve as a strong warning to other state governments, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to taking decisive action against any threat to national stability.
