“Fubara ordered Rivers assembly bombing to prevent impeachment” – Ex-HoS
Forrmer Rivers State Head of Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, has alleged that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the bombing of the state House of Assembly complex in 2023.
Nwaeke claims that Fubara ordered the attack to prevent his impeachment by lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The former Head of Service made these allegations during a press briefing on Friday, asserting that he personally witnessed a bag of money being handed to Edison Ehie, a former Assembly leader who later became Fubara’s Chief of Staff, to carry out the attack on the legislative complex located on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
Detailing the alleged plot, Nwaeke stated:
“Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to burn down the Assembly to avert his impeachment. That evening, Edison was in Government House with two other individuals, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Chijioke. I was there when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for the 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. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will provide more details.
He further claimed that after the Assembly complex was set on fire, another attempt was made to demolish the residential quarters of Assembly members, but this was thwarted by protests from Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members.
Expressing his dismay at Fubara’s alleged actions, Nwaeke added:
“I almost resigned the next day, but I was very scared because I knew the power of a sitting governor. He knew that I was aware of the whole plan and that I was uncomfortable with the unconscionable act and his deliberate posture of innocence.”
According to him, Fubara had reportedly considered demolishing additional state assets, including the Assembly members’ residential quarters, which he later regretted not pulling down sooner.
“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members. If not for the press conference held there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders, and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.
“I realised that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because, weeks later, he personally told me that if he had known earlier, he would have pulled down their hall before targeting the residential quarters of the Assembly. He didn’t realise they had such a beautiful hall where they are now holding their sittings.
“I was shocked and asked myself: how could a man who wants to lead his people be destroying state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight?”
Addressing speculations surrounding his resignation, Nwaeke clarified that he voluntarily stepped down and was neither dismissed nor pressured to leave office.
“With the load of misinformation in print and electronic media, I have chosen to set the record straight. I was not sacked, nor was I pressured to resign; I did it willingly, from the depth of my heart,” he stated.
He also alleged that Fubara had made comments about using the Ijaw people to influence Nigeria’s presidency, referencing control over oil pipelines and possible disruptions.
