The political crisis in Rivers State took a new twist late Friday following allegations by a former Head of Service, Dr George Nweke, that Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the bombing of the state House of Assembly complex in 2023.

The complex was suspected to have been bombed by militants operating on the orders of some politicians in the state.

At a news briefing in Abuja, Nweke alleged that Fubara orchestrated the attack to prevent his impeachment by the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Nweke further alleged that Fubara planned to use militant groups in Ijaw-speaking areas to sabotage oil facilities as part of a broader scheme to destabilise the Federal Government.

The former head of service alleged that Fubara, with the backing of key political figures in the state, was planning to orchestrate attacks on Ogoni, Oyigbo, and other areas before targeting Ijaw communities to create an impression of statewide unrest.

He also expressed concern over multiple high-profile meetings between Fubara, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, which he said often ended with large sums of money changing hands.

Nweke had represented his principal at important government and public functions in the state on several occasions in recent times.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that following the allegations, many appointees and loyalists of the government made frantic calls, with some reaching out to journalists to ascertain the veracity of the claims when news of the briefing filtered into the state.

On the streets, in commercial vehicles, and across various neighbourhoods, people were seen in groups discussing the issue and offering different interpretations.

They expressed concern that recent political developments in Rivers could further escalate the crisis in the state.

Recall that tension escalated in October 2023 when a section of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was bombed, an incident that deepened the rift between factions loyal to Wike and those supporting Fubara.

The situation worsened as the Rivers State House of Assembly, predominantly aligned with Wike, initiated moves against the governor, including attempts to impeach him over allegations of illegal budget presentations and issues related to legislative composition.

INC alleges blackmail

Following the allegations from the former Head of Service, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, condemned the claims against Fubara, describing them as a deliberate attempt to blackmail him.

Oyakemeagbegha stated that the accusations were likely made under duress, with some individuals possibly being coerced into making statements they would not ordinarily make.

He urged those behind the allegations to stop the smear campaign against the governor.

The INC spokesman said, “These are all means to blackmail Fubara. They should stop all these forms of blackmail. It is clear that some of these things are done under duress.

“Some people may be forced to say things they wouldn’t say ordinarily, and it is clear this is one of them.”

Rivers elders back gov

Speaking on the development, the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council faulted the allegations made by the former Head of Service against the suspended governor, stating that he spoke under duress.

One of the Rivers elders and pioneer spokesperson for the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, said Nweke’s claims were fabricated, as evident from the video circulating on social media, and amounted to an attempt to blackmail the governor.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Sara-Igbe said, “The former Head of Service is under duress, judging from his demeanour. He’s not himself. Some of the things he said were outright lies.”

When asked if Nweke’s statement amounted to blackmail, Sara-Igbe responded, “Yes, it is. You heard his wife. Of course, the Head of Service has nothing to do with political matters.”

Also speaking, a respected elder in the state and foremost environmental activist in the Niger Delta region, Ann Kio-Briggs, said, “You see a man clearly under stress, trying to read what was written for him.

“You can hear him being instructed. So, yes, I agree with the INC—it is merely a cheap and desperate blackmail. No doubt, they have other things planned, but we remain undeterred in our support for Governor Fubara and in calling on President Tinubu to see through this blackmail.”

Pro-Fubara PDP disagrees with ex-HoS

The Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, loyal to Fubara, dismissed Nweke’s allegations that the governor ordered the bombing of the state House of Assembly.

The party further claimed that Nweke had compromised himself, insisting that he was not under duress but was knowingly acting out a script orchestrated by the FCT minister.

The state PDP described Nweke as a “serial betrayer.”

The Chairman of the state PDP faction, Dr Robinson Ewhor, while speaking at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Saturday, described the allegation that Fubara ordered the bombing of the state Assembly complex as a “lie from the pit of hell.”



https://punchng.com/ex-hos-rattles-fubara-with-alleged-militants-link-inc-backs-gov/