The former Head of Civil Service in Rivers State, Dr. George Nweke, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in the state, stating that the intervention prevented a complete breakdown of law and order as well as economic sabotage.
Speaking to journalists on Friday in Port Harcourt, Nweke attributed the recent political unrest in the state to the actions of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He accused the governor of being the mastermind behind the destruction of public assets and claimed that Fubara’s actions were driven by ulterior motives that could have plunged Rivers into chaos.
Nweke also addressed speculation surrounding his resignation, clarifying that his decision was voluntary and not influenced by external pressure or dismissal.
“I was appointed as the Head of Civil Service by the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to have served. However, contrary to misinformation circulating in the media, my resignation was a personal decision. I was neither dismissed nor coerced into stepping down. I chose to resign willingly and in good conscience,” Nweke stated.
Having worked closely with Governor Fubara, Nweke said he felt compelled to break his silence due to the gravity of the situation in the state.
“It would be irresponsible for me to remain silent while critical issues continue to threaten the peace and stability of Rivers State. If we do not address these matters urgently, the consequences could be dire,” he cautioned.
He praised President Tinubu’s intervention, emphasizing that the emergency declaration, now endorsed by the National Assembly, played a crucial role in preventing a total collapse of order in the state.
“If not for the timely intervention of Mr. President, Nigeria could have faced one of its worst economic and political crises, with Rivers State at the epicenter of the turmoil,” Nweke asserted.
Recounting events leading up to the crisis, Nweke made startling allegations against Governor Fubara, including claims that the governor had directed his then-Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to set the Rivers State House of Assembly complex on fire in an attempt to thwart an impeachment move.
“It all began with the crisis at the House of Assembly. Governor Siminalayi Fubara allegedly instructed Edison Ehie to orchestrate the destruction of the Assembly complex to prevent his impeachment. I was present when a bag of money was handed to Edison for the operation, though I cannot confirm the exact amount,” Nweke alleged.
He further insisted that the attack on the Assembly complex was carried out under Ehie’s directives, following Fubara’s instructions.
“I want to make it clear to the people of Rivers that the destruction of the Assembly complex on Moscow Road was carried out by Edison Ehie on Governor Fubara’s orders. I challenge them to an open confrontation where I will provide more details,” Nweke declared.
He revealed that the incident almost led to his resignation but admitted that fear of retaliation made him hesitant at the time.
“The day after the attack, I seriously considered resigning, but I was afraid because I understood the power a sitting governor wields. Governor Fubara was fully aware that I had knowledge of the entire plan,” Nweke disclosed.
According to him, there was an additional plot to demolish the residential quarters of Assembly members, which was ultimately foiled due to public outcry.
“There was also a plan to bring down the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members. However, strong opposition from Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members halted the move,” he recounted.
Nweke also alleged that Governor Fubara had regrets about not destroying another building used by Assembly members for their legislative sittings.
“He confided in me that, had he been aware earlier, he would have taken action to pull down their legislative hall before targeting their residential quarters. That statement shocked me. How can a leader who is supposed to protect state assets resort to destroying them for personal reasons?” Nweke questioned.
Addressing critics of the emergency declaration, Nweke urged them to reconsider their stance, insisting that President Tinubu acted in the best interests of national stability.
“If the President had not taken a decisive step, the situation could have escalated beyond control. The threats and schemes being executed behind the scenes could have affected countless innocent citizens,” he warned.
Furthermore, Nweke accused Governor Fubara of making dangerous political calculations linked to future national elections.
“One of the reasons I was sidelined was my opposition to a statement Governor Fubara made regarding using the Ijaw people to influence the next presidential election. He told me that as the Chief Security Officer of Rivers State, and with his counterpart in Bayelsa State holding power, they controlled the critical pipeline infrastructure. He stated that at the appropriate time, they would instruct ‘the boys’ on what to do, and financial resources would not be a problem,” Nweke revealed.
He referenced a public remark made by Fubara, in which the governor hinted at mobilizing certain groups at the right time, reinforcing his suspicions about an orchestrated agenda.
“When I heard him publicly declare, ‘I will tell the boys what to do at the appropriate time,’ I knew something was brewing. The time for action, as he suggested, was fast approaching,” Nweke claimed.
He concluded by appealing to President Tinubu to remain actively engaged in resolving the crisis in Rivers State, warning that unresolved issues still pose a serious threat to peace and stability.
“The President must not withdraw his attention from Rivers State just yet. The political turbulence is far from over, and without strategic intervention, the state could relapse into another wave of crisis,” he cautioned.
Nweke’s revelations have added another dimension to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, highlighting the deep-seated issues within the state’s leadership and governance structure.
