Eric Patrick
The former Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, George Nwaeke, has alleged that the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara was behind the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in 2023.
Nwaeke further alleged that the attack was a last-ditch effort by Fubara to block an imminent impeachment initiative led by legislators loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
During a press briefing on Friday, Nwaeke shared his firsthand account of the shocking incident.
According to Nwaeke, a significant amount of money was given to the former Speaker of the Assembly, Edison Ehie, who later served as Fubara’s Chief of Staff, to execute the bombing of the Assembly complex located on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.
Nwaeke’s statement follows shortly after his recent resignation from the position of Head of Service.
Nwaeke said, “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.
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“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 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?”