ABUJA – Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has sent a strong warning to state governments, urging them to steer clear of actions that could endanger national security.
His remarks, delivered on Wednesday, directly addressed the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been accused of enabling militants to sabotage oil pipelines. Fagbemi defended President Bola Tinubu’s controversial decision to declare a state of emergency in the state, insisting it was necessary to maintain order.
“Even if Governor Fubara didn’t directly order the attacks, his silence speaks volumes,” Fagbemi stated. “When militants threatened to act, did he disown them? No. A week later, vital oil pipelines were vandalized.”
Emphasizing the economic and strategic importance of Nigeria’s oil sector, the AGF made it clear that any attack on critical infrastructure isn’t just a Rivers State issue—it’s a national threat. He asserted that the Supreme Court’s ruling legally backs Tinubu’s decision and that suspending both the governor and state lawmakers was necessary to restore stability.
“This wasn’t a rash move,” he added. “The National Assembly now has the power to either uphold or overturn the decision, but Nigeria’s security must come first.”
With tensions running high, Fagbemi’s warning serves as a bold signal—the federal government will not hesitate to clamp down on any governor or state assembly that disrupts the nation’s stability.
