The immediate-past Head of the Civil Service in Rivers State, Dr. George Nwaeke, has alleged plans by suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara to destroy oil facilities in the Niger Delta.
The political crisis in Rivers reached a crescendo two weeks ago when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared emergency rule in the state and suspended the governor, his deputy and the members of the state assembly.
The president also nominated retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator of the state.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, Nwaeke, who recently tendered his resignation from the Fubara’s administration, also alleged plots by the embattled governor to pull down the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Nwaeke alleged that Governor Fubara “clearly” told him “that he is the chief security officer of Rivers State and his brother is in charge of Bayelsa State, and all the pipelines are under their care, that at the appropriate time, they would tell the boys what to do, and fund was not an issue.
“That was why when he made that statement in his public function that “I will tell the boys what to do at the appropriate time” I knew something was up and perhaps the time was near”.
Nwaeke further alleged that Governor Fubara’s plan was to start from “non-Ijaw speaking areas to destroy oil facilities”, stating that the move was to “remove attention from the Ijaw and make it have a statewide look”.
He said the “Ogoni, Oyibo, Ahoda areas were to be bombed first before the Ijaw zones”.
According to him, the plot was to pull down the government of President Tinubu and “usher in a new President from the coalition of political parties with a Vice President from the Ijaw”.
The governor has, however, denied the allegations, calling on Nigerians and the people of the state to disregard everything said by Nwaeke “as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration”.
‘You’ve been paid or coerced to lie,’ Fubara tells ex-HoS Nwaeke
Meanwhile, Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers state, has said that the allegations made against him by Nwaeke, were done either because he (Nwaeke) had been paid or coerced to lie.
In a post on X (Twitter) on Saturday morning, Fubara urged Rivers residents and Nigerians to “disregard everything” Nwaeke said.
“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.”
‘My husband is in trouble’ — wife of ex-Rivers HoS raises the alarm over his safety
Florence, wife of George Nwaeke, former head of Rivers state civil service, has raised the alarm over her husband’s wellbeing.
Nwaeke’s wife said her husband informed her of his trip to Abuja to meet a friend who wanted to discuss certain matters with him on Friday.
Florence said he also informed her of his arrival when he got to Abuja.
She added that some moments later, she started receiving telephone calls about the interview granted by her husband.
“I said, ‘that is not my husband’. I sent him a message that ‘are you under duress? Have they kidnapped you? Why are you not talking to me’,” she said.
“Jesus help me. Nigerians help me. My husband is in trouble. I sent him messages. He did not respond to me. His numbers are not going through. Nigerians help me.”
Florence also alleged that Nwaeke resigned as head of service because he was asked to sign a document saying Fubara failed to declare N50 billion.
