The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has issued a stern warning to state governments, urging them to avoid actions that could jeopardize national security and stability.
On Wednesday, March 19, Fagbemi accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of allegedly influencing militants to sabotage oil pipelines in the state. His comments came in defense of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the ongoing political crisis.
Fagbemi argued that even if Governor Fubara did not directly order the attacks, his failure to condemn the militants’ threats made him complicit. “We are in a democracy. The governor was seen communicating with militants, suggesting he would inform them when to act. Even if this was misinterpreted, did he denounce them? No. A week later, pipelines were vandalized,” he stated.
He highlighted the strategic importance of Nigeria’s oil sector, stressing that attacks on critical infrastructure are not just an assault on Rivers State, but on the entire nation. Fagbemi emphasized that the Supreme Court’s judgment provided the legal foundation for President Tinubu’s emergency declaration, arguing that the decision was necessary to protect vital assets and restore governance in the state.
“The governor and state assembly members had to be suspended because they failed to create a conducive environment for governance,” Fagbemi explained, rejecting claims that the federal government acted hastily. He pointed out that the situation in Rivers required extraordinary measures and noted 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 decisive action against any threat to national stability.