The Political crisis rocking oil-rich Rivers State may not be over in six months as anticipated by President Bola Tinubu as it seems the warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state are not ready to sheath their sword.
In a new development, the suspended governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his former Head of Service (HoS), Mr. George Nwaeke are currently at each other’s throats with claims and counter claims over what led to the declaration of state of emergency in the state.
In a trending press conference, he addressed in an undisclosed location in Abuja, Mr. Nwaeke accused Mr. Fubara of being the brain behind the crisis in the state.
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Mr. Nwaeke claimed that Governor Fubara personally directed his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly. The former HoS also accused Mr. Fubara of plotting to support Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
Part of his press statement reads:
“First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly, where 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 boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke.
“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. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will provide more details.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, 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 I was uncomfortable with the unconscionable act and his deliberate posture of innocence.
“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?”
“With the load of misinformation in print and electronic media, I have chosen to set the record straight.
Denying that he was under pressure to leave Fubara’s government, Mr. Nwaeke stated that he voluntarily resigned from the government to acquit his conscience of all blames.
“I was not sacked, nor was I pressured to resign; I did it willingly from the depth of my heart,” he reiterated.
Governor Fubara Replies
Reacting to the allegations, Governor Fubara described the aaccusations from his former HoS as “laughable” and untrue and a “desperate attempts to discredit” him and his administration.
Governor Fubara noted that the latest allegations against him was a calculated attempt to sabotage the peace process initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
Part of the statement the Governor personally signed reads:
“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.
“I call on all well meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President.”
George Nwaeke and Wife Disagrees, Wife Cries Out, Alleges Husband Speaking Under Duress
Despite the claims of the former HoS that he took all the decisions he has taken so far on his own volition, the wife of the embattled former HoS, Mrs. Florence Nwaeke took to the social media to cry out claiming that her husband made the allegations against Governor Fubara under duress.
In a viral social media video, Mrs. Nwaeke called for help insisting that what the husband was doing currently in Abuja was never part of why he went to Abuja in the first place.
Part of the transcript of her video message reads:
“When he got to Abuja, he called that he had landed. I said, ‘Thank God’.
“The next thing I saw this night: people were calling me and said he got an interview. I said, ‘What interview? Interview for what?’ Not until I saw things flying on the internet that he granted an interview. What happened? I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband.’
“So I sent him a message. I said, ‘Are you under duress?’ I sent him a message. I said, ‘Have they kidnapped you? Talk to me now. Why are you not talking to me?’ This is the message I sent to him when I saw his interview online.
“Oh, Jesus, help me. Nigerians, help me. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. Look at the message I sent to him. See the message I sent to him. I said, ‘Daddy, why? Were you in hostage?’ I said, ‘Why didn’t you talk to me?’ These are the messages I sent to him, but he didn’t reply to me. His numbers are not going through. Nigerians, help me! Nigerians, help me.”
However, despite his wife’s call for help, the former HoS swiftly countered in another statement insisting that bhe was not under duress.
His rebuttal reads:
“My name is Frank Nwaeke and I’m in Transcorp in Abuja. I came in here this morning from Port Harcourt to meet the security agencies to report myself and things that happened in the state that is making me to feel sick.
“Actually, I was the Head of Service until Monday when I resigned because of the things that are happening.
“After the press interview I granted, I just saw a video of my wife trending, where they went to feed her with all kinds of fallacies that I have been kidnapped.
“I want to clear this that I’m not kidnapped, I’m in Abuja, this is Transcorp Hotel where I’m lodging. They told her I was kidnapping and they wrote a script for her to say all sorts of things.
“I want to put this straight, I’m the head of Service and I’m on oath; my wife does not know what happens in my office – it’s only my domestic or social matters that we discus.
Nyesom Wike Maintains Silence
However, despite the rising tension, the minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike who is the leader of the “Abuja faction” of the Rivers State PDP has remained incommunicado as the crisis deepens in the state.
Residents of Rivers State are torn between the two factions as the peace of graveyard reigns in the state. Several residents whom FACTSHEET south to speak to declined as they do not want to be caught “in between” the political fight.