Tinubu acted to protect Nigeria’s economic lifeline amid pipeline explosion – AGF Fagbemi

Kunle Sanni

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi has defended President Bola Tinubu’s response to the recent pipeline explosion in Rivers State, stating that the President acted appropriately as Commander-in-Chief to safeguard lives, property, and the nation’s economic interests.

Speaking to reporters at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, Fagbemi described Tinubu’s actions as necessary and decisive.

“It’s no longer news that President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, took the bull by the horns yesterday (Tuesday) to do what was required of a statesman, a patriot, and the head of state,” he said. “He made a very bold decision. We were all there when he publicly addressed the nation and outlined the facts from start to finish.”

Fagbemi stressed that the President’s actions were aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economic assets, particularly the country’s vital oil infrastructure.

His remarks come amid growing tensions in Rivers State following the impeachment notice issued to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In response to the political crisis, militant groups, including the Niger Delta Ground Fighters and the NDDF, have threatened attacks on oil installations.

On Tuesday, an explosion near the Bodo-Bonny Road disrupted a key crude delivery channel to the Bonny Export Terminal, raising security concerns in the oil-producing region.

Fagbemi reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to securing the nation’s oil infrastructure, criticizing Fubara for not distancing himself from the threats posed by militants.

“After issuing threats, they (the militants) acted, and we witnessed the vandalization of oil pipelines,” he said. “Anyone who touches these pipelines is not just an enemy of Rivers State but an enemy of Nigeria as a whole.”

The AGF recalled that Nigeria’s oil production had fallen to around 900,000 barrels per day before Tinubu took office. However, due to the President’s efforts, production increased to approximately 1.5 million barrels per day, leading to higher federal revenue and a 60% increase in state allocations.

Fagbemi emphasized that safeguarding oil infrastructure is critical to sustaining these economic gains and ensuring stability in the country.