ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Rivers State Head of Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, has alleged that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the bombing of the state House of Assembly complex in 2023 to thwart his impeachment by lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara has denied the accusation, urging Nigerians to disregard it.
Nwaeke, who recently resigned from his position, made the claim during a news briefing on Friday.
He alleged that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to a former Assembly leader, Edison Ehie, who later became Fubara’s Chief of Staff, to carry out the attack on the Assembly complex along Moscow Road, 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.
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“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 maintained that he resigned voluntarily, dismissing speculations that he was either sacked or pressured to step down.
“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.
He further alleged that there was another attempt to destroy the residential quarters of House of Assembly members, but it was thwarted following a press conference held by Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members.
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According to Nwaeke, Fubara had openly expressed intentions to demolish more state property, raising concerns about his leadership approach.
He also claimed that the governor had spoken about using the Ijaw people to influence Nigeria’s presidency, citing control over oil pipelines and potential disruptions.
In response, Fubara denied the allegations against him, urging Nigerians to disregard them.
Describing Nwaeke’s claims as “laughable” in a statement he signed on Friday, the governor said:
“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.