The suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied the claims of Dr George Nwaeke, which alleged that he ordered the bombing of the State House of Assembly complex in 2023 to avoid his impeachment by MPs loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike.
Nwaeke, who just resigned as Head of Service, made the announcement during a news briefing on Friday.
He alleged to have witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Edison Ehie, a former Assembly leader who later became Fubara’s Chief of Staff, in preparation for an attack on the Assembly Complex on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.
He said, “First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the Assembly to avert his impeachment. That evening, Edison was in Government House with two other boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke.
“I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside. I want to tell the people of Rivers State today that the House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road was deliberately brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will provide more details.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, but I was very scared because I knew the power of a sitting governor. He knew that I was aware of the whole plan and that I was uncomfortable with the unconscionable act and his deliberate posture of innocence.
“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members. If not for the press conference held there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders, and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.
“I realised that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because, weeks later, he personally told me that if he had known earlier, he would have pulled down their hall before targeting the residential quarters of the Assembly. He didn’t realise they had such a beautiful hall where they are now holding their sittings.
“I was shocked and asked myself, ‘How could a man who wants to lead his people be destroying state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight?”
Nwaeke revealed that he resigned voluntarily, countering reports that he was sacked or pressured to leave.
“With the load of misinformation in print and electronic media, I have chosen to set the record straight.
“I was not sacked, nor was I pressured to resign; I did it willingly from the depth of my heart,” he clarified.
Nwaeke also claimed that another attempt was made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members but was thwarted by a press conference held by Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members.
According to him, Fubara had openly voiced a desire to demolish additional state property, raising questions about his leadership style.
He further alleged that Fubara mentioned utilising the Ijaw people to influence Nigeria’s presidency, citing control over oil pipelines and potential crises.
Reacting to his claims, Fubara denied the allegations levelled against him, asking Nigerians to disregard them.
In a statement he signed on Friday, the governor described Nwaeke’s allegations as “laughable” in a statement he signed on Friday.
“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.
“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke, as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration and undermine the peace process by Mr President,” he said.
