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• Says Nwaeke’s claims targeted to discredit him, govt
• As ex-HoS, wife bicker, sing discordant tunes
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Suspended Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara has dismissed as false the allegations his resigned Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke, made in Abuja on Friday.
Nwaeke had in a press interview on Friday evening, made weighty allegations, among which were that the governor conscripted his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to bomb the State House of Assembly, to forestall plot by the lawmakers to impeach him in October 2023.
But Fubara in a WhatsApp message released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Nelson Chukwudi, said that Nwaeke’s briefing created erroneous impression and disaffection in the minds of Rivers people and Nigerians at large.
The embattled governor said that the truth was that the former Head of Service has compromised, adding that whatever he had said was only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who might have paid or coerced him to lie against him.
Fubara said: “My attention has been drawn to a press briefing by the former Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke aired on Channels Television on Friday, the 28th of March 2025.
“Ordinarily, I would not have responded to his claims, but to correct the erroneous impression such allegations may create in the minds of the people, and the disaffection it is bound to cause in the state and the country.
“First, on the claim that he was aware of my discussions and plans to support Bala Mohammed’s alleged 2027 presidential bid, it is laughable that Dr Nwaeke would be part of any high level political meeting as Head of Service, much more sitting in my alleged night meetings with Bala Mohammed and militants like he claimed. Howbeit, none of such meetings ever held.
‘The truth is that the whole world knew when the Bauchi State governor, as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum visited the state, and there was nothing secret about the visits.
“It is also ludicrous for Dr Nwaeke to claim that he was aware of my meetings to encourage attacks on oil pipelines and other national assets in the state, as there was no time I held any meeting with militants or any criminal group to destabilise the state. It is on record that I have been at the forefront preaching peace in the state even in the face of obvious provocations.
“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.”
The suspended governor called on Nigerians and the people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by the former HoS.
Fubara said that Nwaeke’s allegations were mere desperate attempts to discredit him and his administration, and undermine the peace process initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
Earlier, the wife of the former Head of Service, Mrs Florence Nwaeke, had in a viral video cried out to Nigerians to help save her husband over the sterling revelations he made on a national television on the deepening political crisis concerning his suspended boss, Governor Fubara, and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
Mrs Nwaeke in the video expressed fear that her spouse might have been kidnapped or granted the interview under duress.
She said that information from suspected investigators said that the former Head of Service who resigned his appointment on March 24, 2015, was Fubara’s friend and her husband was shielding him from all his dealings.
“My husband said he did not know about the N15 billion they are talking about; that what he was given, was what he handed over. They said Abuja gave them every information they needed.
“They said that my husband is trying to cover Sim Fubara, the governor; that they had heard that he (Fubara) is his friend, that he is trying to cover up.
“My husband said he is not covering up anything; that there is nothing like N15 billion he knows, that he is not aware. My husband said he is not covering the governor and he is not aware of anything like N15 billion. My husband said he is just the Head of Service and knows nothing about finance of the state.
“So, when they pressurized him to sign the document, my husband said instead of him to sign it, he would resign and he resigned. He called me from office and told me that he has resigned. I asked him what happened? He said until I come.”
Lamenting further, Mrs Nwaeke said: “When I came back, he told me they brought a document that they found N15 billion, the governor did not declare. My husband said he told them that he did not know anything about the money. That what the governor gave him was what he handed over to them.
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“My husband said when they pressurized him, he said instead he would resign. He now wrote his resignation. That was why he resigned.
“So, this morning, he told me that one of his friends from Abua (in Abua/Odual local government areas, Rivers State), sent him a ticket to come to Abuja. I begged him to stay till Monday, since we have church programme on Sunday. He refused that he would go to know why his friend was calling him.”
Mrs Nwaeke said she was surprised when people started calling her that her husband granted an interview to the media in Abuja.
“I was surprised. I sent him a text message, asking if he was kidnapped and under duress. In that message I sent to him, I said, ‘Daddy why, were you in hostage? Why didn’t you talk to me?’”
She added that husband’s number has not been going through and begged Nigerians to help her because she is afraid that the former HoS might be in trouble.
But swiftly on Saturday morning, another video surfaced on the social media, where the former HoS said he was surprised at the interview his wife granted.
Mr Nwaeke said that he was not kidnapped and was in Abuja to meet with security agencies based on the interview he granted earlier.
He stressed that as an office holder who was on oath, he hardly discussed official matters with his wife, adding that her interview was scripted.
Nwaeke said: “Good morning, gentlemen of the press. I’m back to you again this morning. I’m George Nwaeke. I’m in Transcorp Abuja.
“I came in this morning from Port Harcourt for a meeting with security agencies, to report myself and to report the things happening in the state that are really making me sick.
“I was the Head of Service until Monday, March 24 and I resigned because of things that are happening (in the Rivers State).
“After the press interview I granted, I just saw a video of my wife where they went and wrote her with all fallacies. They told her that I was kidnapped.
“I want to clear the fear. I am not kidnapped. I am in Abuja. This is Transcorp Hotel, where I am lodging. And they told her that I was kidnapped.
“They wrote a script for her to say all sorts of things. I want to put the record straight; I was the Head of Service; I’m on oath. My wife does not know things that happen in my office. I don’t discuss anything about office with her. It’s only my domestic or social matter that we discussed.
“So, that script they write for her is null and void. So, I want to clear the air that I am safe; I am fine. I am in Abuja”
It would be recalled that Nwaeke had in a text message on his resignation gave his reasons for bowing out.
He stated: “My decision to resign is a personal one, driven by my desire to facilitate a peaceful transition and reconciliation process in our beloved state.
“As a conspicuous figure in the last administration, I recognized that my continued presence could be viewed in certain quarters as creating an undue advantage for one side, knowing that I am an unrepentant supporter of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS.
“After careful consideration, I chose to step down, allowing the new administrator to demonstrate sincerity and unbiased leadership.
“This decision was not taken lightly, but I believe it’s essential for the greater good of Rivers State. I’m proud to have served our state, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to make a positive impact.
“Please know that I’m committed to supporting the acting Head of Service, and I urge you all to extend your support and respect to enable her success in her new role.
“As you move forward, I remind you that our state’s interest should always come first, in line with His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS’s slogan, ‘Rivers First.’ It’s crucial that you defend our state’s interests and uphold the confidence the Rivers people have placed in you.”
