In a dramatic turn of events, George Nwaeke, the former Head of Rivers State’s Civil Service, has accused the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of masterminding the ongoing political turmoil in the state.
Nwaeke claims that Fubara’s actions were driven by a desire to avoid impeachment, which had become imminent in the face of mounting opposition.
The political crisis in Rivers reached a boiling point two weeks ago when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the region.
This unprecedented move led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire state assembly. In the wake of this, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator for the state.
Nwaeke, who resigned from his position as Head of Service in recent weeks, made these explosive accusations during a press conference on Friday. He claimed that Fubara orchestrated the crisis to deflect the looming threat of impeachment.
According to Nwaeke, the suspended governor personally directed Edison Ehie, his Chief of Staff, to set fire to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Nwaeke further revealed that he was present at the government house when a bag of money was handed over to Ehie for the operation, though he admitted he did not know the amount inside.
“I want to tell Rivers people today that the house of assembly complex in Moscow Road was clearly brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Gov Siminilayi Fubara. I challenge him to an open confrontation and I will throw more light on it. A day after that incident, I almost resigned but I was very scared because I know the power of a sitting governor and he knew that I am aware of the whole plan and that I am discomforted with the unconscionable act and deliberate posture of innocence and mien of a sheep,” Nwaeke alleged.
“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the house of assembly members if not for the press conference that was made there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers state.
“I came to realize that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because after some weeks, he personally told me that if he knew early he would have gone to pull down their hall before visiting the residential quarters of the assembly and that he didn’t actually know that they had such a beautiful hall were they are using now for their sitting, I was shocked and I asked myself how could a man that wants to lead his people be destroying his state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight.”
Nwaeke said the emergency rule averted further instability in the state, adding that “no one knows who would have been affected by the sinister plans that were cooking”.
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The former HoS added that he was not sacked or pressured to resign, saying he took the decision willingly “from the depth of my heart”.
Nwaeke also alleged that Fubara told him that the Ijaws would be used to decide the next president of Nigeria.
He claimed that the plan was to create instability by destroying oil facilities across the state.
He alleged that the suspended governor and his chief of staff held clandestine meetings with some militant leaders.
“The details of which meetings I am not privy to since I was not allowed into the meetings. However, each meeting ended with huge sum of money paid to attendees,” Nwaeke claimed.
“I wish to call on Mr. President to urge the Sole Administrator to step up his guards and be very vigilant because I am aware of the sinister arrangement and dastardly plans to continue to hatch their plans if not put in check.”
The former head of service also accused the suspended governor of holding “nocturnal visits” with Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi state.
“Sometimes, I sleep over in government house but I started being uncomfortable when Gov. Bala Mohammed and some other stakeholders started nocturnal visits to Rivers State,” he alleged.
“I recalled after one of such visits he told me that he would support Bala Mohammed for president or any other northerner. That discussion is ongoing.”
