Ex-Rivers HoS accuses suspended Governor Fubara of orchestrating political crisis, plotting oil facility bombings

George Nwaeke, the former head of the Rivers State Civil Service, has accused suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of being the mastermind behind the political crisis that recently rocked the state.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Nwaeke alleged that Fubara orchestrated the instability in Rivers to thwart his impeachment, claiming that the governor directed Edison Ehie, his Chief of Staff, to set the Rivers State House of Assembly complex ablaze.

“I want to tell Rivers people today that the House of Assembly complex on Moscow Road was clearly brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara,” Nwaeke said. “I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will throw more light on it.”

Nwaeke, who recently resigned as HoS, claimed to have witnessed a bag of money being handed to Ehie at the Government House for the operation, though he said he did not know the amount inside.

The political crisis in Rivers State escalated two weeks ago when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State Assembly. Tinubu also appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state administrator.

According to Nwaeke, Fubara’s alleged plan to demolish the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members was foiled by public outrage.

“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, elders, and National Assembly members,” he said.

Nwaeke further alleged that Governor Fubara had plans to destabilize the state by destroying oil facilities, claiming the governor held clandestine meetings with militant leaders.

“The details of those meetings I am not privy to since I was not allowed into the meetings. However, each meeting ended with a huge sum of money paid to attendees,” Nwaeke claimed.

He called on President Tinubu to urge the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to be vigilant, warning of “sinister arrangements and dastardly plans” that could be executed if not kept in check.

Nwaeke also accused Fubara of holding “nocturnal visits” with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and expressed discomfort with the meetings, alleging that Fubara planned to support Mohammed’s alleged 2027 presidential bid.

“Sometimes, I sleep over at the Government House, but I started being uncomfortable when Governor Bala Mohammed and some other stakeholders started nocturnal visits to Rivers State,” he said.

He further claimed that Fubara boasted about using the Ijaws to determine the next president by causing instability in the oil sector.

Nwaeke maintained that his resignation was voluntary and not due to pressure, stating, “I took the decision willingly from the depth of my heart.”