Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, has vehemently denied the allegations made against him by George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service (HoS) in the state.
Nwaeke, who resigned from his position on Tuesday, accused Fubara of being the principal architect of the political unrest plaguing Rivers State.
Among the serious charges, Nwaeke claimed that Fubara held secret meetings with militants and incited the destruction of oil pipelines as part of a strategy to escalate the crisis.
In a swift response, Fubara took to X (formerly Twitter) early Saturday morning, describing Nwaeke’s allegations as “laughable.” The suspended governor went on to assert that Nwaeke had been “compromised” and was being “coerced” into making false accusations against him.
Fubara’s statement further criticised the former HoS, dismissing the claims as baseless and part of a broader attempt to discredit his leadership during a time of heightened political tension in the state.
“Ordinarily, I would not have responded to his claims, but to correct the erroneous impression such allegations may create in the minds of the people, and the disaffection it is bound to cause in the state and the country,” Fubara said.
“First, on the claim that he was aware of my discussions and plans to support Bala Mohammed’s alleged 2027 presidential bid, it is laughable that Dr. Nwaeke would be part of any high level political meeting as Head of Service, much more sitting in my alleged night meetings with Bala Mohammed and militants like he claimed. Howbeit, none of such meetings ever held.
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“The truth is that the whole world knew when the Bauchi State Governor, as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum visited the State, and there was nothing secret about the visits.
“It is also ludicrous for Dr. Nwaeke to claim that he was aware of my meetings to encourage attacks on oil pipelines and other National assets in the State, as there was no time I held any meeting with militants or any criminal group to destabilise the State.
“It is on record that I have been at the forefront preaching peace in the State even in the face of obvious provocations.
“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me.”
Fubara asked Rivers residents and Nigerians to “disregard everything” said by Nwaeke, describing the allegations as “desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President”.