Former Head of Service in Rivers State, George Nwaeke, has accused the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, of sponsoring the recent explosions that occurred at several oil facilities in the state.
He also alleged that Governor Fubara masterminded the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in a bid to prevent his impeachment.
Nwaeke made these claims during a press briefing in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following his resignation from office under the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibom Ete Ibas (retd.).
Despite expressing gratitude to Fubara for appointing him, he stated that his aim was to clarify records and counter false narratives circulating on social media.
“With loads of misinformation on print and electronic media, I have chosen to put the record straight. I was not sacked, neither was I pressured to resign. I did it willingly from the depth of my heart.
“However, as an insider and a key player in this administration, it would be unfair for me to remain silent or ignore critical issues affecting our state,” Nwaeke said.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the crisis, noting, “I want to use this medium to thank Mr. President for a swift intervention in the Rivers State crisis, especially on the state of emergency that was declared and assented to by the National Assembly.”
Nwaeke further alleged that during the political turmoil, Fubara instructed his then Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to set fire to the Assembly complex to prevent his impeachment.
He claimed he witnessed money being handed over for the operation at the Government House.
“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 Governor Siminilayi Fubara. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will throw more light on it,” Nwaeke said.
According to him, another attempt was made to destroy the lawmakers’ residential quarters but was thwarted by a press conference organised by Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members.
“I came to realise that they wanted to demolish that second building because, after some weeks, he told me that if he had known earlier, he would have pulled down their hall before visiting the quarters,” he stated.
Nwaeke urged Niger Delta leaders to support the Emergency Rule imposed on Rivers State, claiming that Fubara and other Ijaw leaders sponsored the sabotage of oil facilities.
“If the President had not taken proactive steps, no one knows who would have been affected by the sinister plans that were in motion,” he warned.
He also recounted a conversation with Fubara about leveraging Ijaw influence in the 2027 presidential election. “He clearly told me that he is the chief security officer of Rivers State and his brother is in charge of Bayelsa State.
“All the pipelines are under their care, and at the appropriate time, they would tell the boys what to do,” Nweke alleged.
The former HoS further accused Fubara of seeking to weaken non-Ijaw communities in Rivers State by targeting their oil facilities.
“The plan was to start from non-Ijaw-speaking areas to destroy oil facilities and make it appear statewide. The Ogoni, Oyibo, and Ahoda areas were to be bombed first before the Ijaw zones,” he said.
Nwaeke also expressed concerns over nocturnal visits to Rivers State by political figures, including Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
“I recalled after one of such visits, Fubara told me that he would support Bala Mohammed for president or any other northerner,” he claimed, adding that significant state resources were spent entertaining these visitors.
He called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to monitor its Rivers State chapter leader, alleging collusion with Fubara. “I am privy to several private meetings between the governor and the Labour leader in the state and the largesse that accompanied each meeting to compromise the Labour Union,” he alleged.
