Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied allegations linking him to the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex on October 29, 2023.
The former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, had claimed that both Fubara and Ehie orchestrated the fire.
However, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ehie refuted the allegations and described them as baseless and politically motivated.
He said: “It is very important to clarify that I was not involved in, nor did I have any hand in, the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of October 30, 2023, to hear of the fire at the Assembly Complex.”
Ehie revealed that he has instructed his legal team to initiate a libel suit against Nwaeke and challenged him to substantiate his claims.
“I will not engage in a war of words with Mr. George Nwaeke. My lawyers have been directed to file a case of criminal libel against him, and I hope he is prepared to provide evidence to back his allegations,” he added.
The Chief of Staff also redirected attention to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule and questioned his role in the incident.
Ehie alleged that the fire broke out shortly after security officials allowed the speaker’s convoy into the complex.
Beyond denying involvement in the arson, Ehie accused Nwaeke of succumbing to political pressures for personal gain.
He claimed that Nwaeke’s recent actions were driven by a desire for wealth, rather than genuine concern for governance in Rivers State.
“George Nwaeke has yielded to political adversaries in his quest for emergency riches. His wife’s recent outcry over his sudden disappearance tells the story of a man who betrayed his conscience and his family in a bid to own the world,” the governor’s aide pointed out.
Ehie displayed WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by Nwaeke requesting financial assistance shortly after his resignation as Head of Service last week.
“George is not a contented man. “He is not speaking from a rational frame of mind,” he stated.
Ehie further dismissed claims of a close relationship between Nwaeke and Governor Fubara, asserting that the former Head of Service did not hold an influential role in the administration.
He challenged Nwaeke to provide proof of any private meetings with the governor.
© Ripples Nigeria