Rivers Political Turmoil: Ex-HoS refutes kidnapping claim as Fubara dismisses bombing allegation

• Former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, refuted his wife’s claims that he was kidnapped, stating that she was misled into reading a scripted statement
• Fubara denied all accusations, labeling them as falsehoods intended to tarnish his image
• Nwaeke’s wife publicly called on the governor for help, fearing that her husband was under duress and unable to speak freely

The political crisis in Rivers State has deepened following explosive allegations by Doctor George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service (HoS), against the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. 

Nwaeke’s claims, coupled with his wife’s desperate pleas for his safety, have further intensified the political tension in the state.

Nwaeke’s allegations against Fubara

Dr. George Nwaeke resigned as the Rivers State HoS on Monday, March 24, citing troubling developments in the state. 

In a news briefing on Friday, March 28, he accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of orchestrating the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in 2023. 

According to Nwaeke, the bombing was a strategic move to prevent the governor’s impeachment by lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Nwaeke claimed to have witnessed a bag of money being handed over to former Assembly leader Edison Ehie, who is now Fubara’s Chief of Staff, to facilitate the attack on the Assembly Complex on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

“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,” he said.

He further alleged that Fubara had made moves to demolish the residential quarters of Assembly members and had expressed intentions to use the Ijaw people to influence Nigeria’s presidency through control over oil pipelines and possible disruptions.

Kidnapping or political manipulation?

Shortly after his resignation, his wife, Florence Nwaeke, raised concerns over his safety. 

In an emotional plea, she claimed that she had lost contact with her husband after his arrival in Abuja, prompting fears that he might have been kidnapped.

“When he got to Abuja, he called that he had landed. I said, ‘Thank God,” she recounted. However, her fears escalated after watching an online interview of her husband, which she described as suspicious.

“I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband,” she stated. 

Florence sent him multiple messages asking if he was under duress but received no response.

A video of Florence pleading with Governor Fubara for help surfaced online, further fueling speculation. 

In the video, she tearfully begged the governor, saying, “Governor, help me. My husband is in trouble.”

Fubara denies bombing allegations

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has dismissed Nwaeke’s allegations as baseless and politically motivated. 

In a statement on Friday, Fubara accused Nwaeke of being compromised and acting under the influence of external forces.

“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,” Fubara stated.

He urged Nigerians to disregard the allegations, emphasising that they were desperate attempts to discredit him and his administration.

Furthermore, the governor’s camp released screenshots of purported chats between Nwaeke and Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, where Nwaeke allegedly sought financial support. 

This counterclaim aimed to portray Nwaeke’s statements as politically motivated rather than factual.

Fubara denies links to militants, rejects claims of sabotage

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, had denied having any affiliation with militant groups and warned against attempts to incite violence or economic sabotage in his name. 

In a statement issued on Monday, March 24, by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, Fubara described the videos as “fake” and “malicious”, adding that they were part of a broader misinformation campaign intended to cause unrest.