The Simplicity Movement, a sociopolitical group, has called on Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and security agencies to investigate the recent pipeline explosions in the state. The group specifically urged a probe into the explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in the Bodo community, Gokana Local Government Area, which resulted in a section of the facility going up in flames.
Additionally, the group dismissed claims that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had demolished and abandoned the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, calling these allegations misleading. In a press briefing held in Port Harcourt on Monday, the National Leader of the Simplicity Movement, Sobomabo Jackrich, addressed these developments, stating that the Sole Administrator’s visit to the Assembly complex had confirmed that reconstruction work was ongoing.
Jackrich expressed the group’s concerns over the purported explosions at oil and gas installations across the state. “While the truth has emerged from the operators of the Trans Niger Pipeline at Bodo community, showing that no explosion occurred at their facility, these incidents still pose significant threats to lives, the environment, and the economic stability of our state,” he said.
He continued, “We call on the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of these purported explosions. If these incidents are acts of sabotage, the perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice.”
Jackrich also addressed the claims regarding the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, stating that President Bola Tinubu’s accusation that Governor Fubara had demolished the building and failed to rebuild it was unfounded. “We want to make it clear that the president’s claims were unfair to Governor Fubara, who was already in the process of constructing a modern, befitting State Assembly Complex,” he explained. According to Jackrich, the project was over 80% completed before the state of emergency was declared.
“We categorically reject the claim that the governor abandoned the project. It was actively being worked on before the declaration of the emergency rule,” he added.
While the Simplicity Movement does not support the governor’s suspension or the state of emergency, Jackrich emphasized their willingness to support the Sole Administrator, provided that democratic governance is restored swiftly. “We strongly condemn and reject the unconstitutional suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Jackrich stated.
“We are ready to support the Sole Administrator in delivering good governance to the people of Rivers, but our support is contingent on the prompt return of democracy. Rivers State must not be ruled outside the constitution for long. We call on all stakeholders, political actors, and concerned citizens to avoid further escalating tensions and to work towards restoring democracy and the rule of law in the state.”