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 TheNigerian 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 TheNigerian, 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.”
He condemned the claims as libellous and a campaign of calumny against Fubara and his aides, adding that Nweke had distorted facts by alleging that Fubara and the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, were holding nocturnal meetings.
Ewhor asserted that the script Nweke was acting out was designed to portray Fubara in a bad light and make President Tinubu lose confidence in him.
He also criticised the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibol-Ete Ibas, stating that since assuming office, he had no real work to do because there was nothing in Rivers to justify the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu or the suspension of the governor and his deputy.
“The state is not at war, there is no threat of war, nor is there a natural disaster that should warrant a declaration of a state of emergency. Therefore, the sole administrator has had no work to do since assuming office,” he said.
NLC tackles Nweke
The Nigeria Labour Congress in Rivers State described the allegations made by the former Head of Service, Nweke, against its leadership as baseless and misleading.
In a statement, the NLC said it was highly irresponsible and mischievous for Nweke to insinuate that the labour leadership had been compromised or was engaging in political partisanship.
The statement read in part, “It is highly irresponsible and mischievous for Dr Nweke to insinuate that the leadership of labour in Rivers State has been compromised or is engaging in political partisanship.”
On the allegations against the state NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, the statement said, “Dr Nweke’s claim that the NLC chairman has been holding private meetings with the governor and receiving financial inducements is outright false and defamatory.”
Concerned Omuma leaders respond
Meanwhile, some concerned leaders from Omuma Local Government Area, where Nweke hails from, have distanced themselves from the allegations against Fubara.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the leader of the Concerned Omuma Stakeholders, Maximus Nwafor, expressed sadness that Nweke had allowed himself to be used as a tool for destruction.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Nwafor dismissed Nweke’s allegations as false and baseless, pledging their support and loyalty to Fubara.
“We never imagined it would escalate to this level, where blatant falsehoods are being peddled against an innocent man who has been a benefactor and has prioritised the well-being of Omuma,” he said.
Fubara, Wike fighting over money — Amaechi
Commenting on the crisis, a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, claimed that the feud between Fubara and Wike was primarily about money-sharing.
Speaking in an interview with DW on Saturday, Amaechi also criticised the emergency rule imposed on the state by President Tinubu, calling it unconstitutional.
“The fight between the former governor of Rivers State, the FCT Minister, and the current governor is about sharing money. Otherwise, what is the quarrel about?” Amaechi asked.
“Nigerians are no longer outraged by corruption. I haven’t seen anyone protesting on the streets about what this fight is really about. Can both of them address the public and tell us the real reason for their dispute?
“We are now being denied democracy. Rivers State is the only state in the country that cannot practise democracy. They have imposed military rule on us.”
Bauchi PDP cries foul
The Bauchi State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Dayyabu Ciroma, dismissed Nweke’s allegation against Governor Bala Mohammed as mere blackmail.
“Who is he (Nweke) as a Head of Service to know the political movements of a governor and even make such a statement?” Ciroma asked.
“Because they realise Fubara is temporarily not in charge, they now resort to blackmail. That is the nature of Nigerian politics—whenever you are not in power, you begin to see the true colours of people.”
Ciroma further argued that if Fubara were in full control, the former HoS would not have made such claims.
On the allegation that Fubara was supporting Governor Mohammed’s presidential ambition, Ciroma said, “The only reason for such statements is that they understand President Tinubu’s psychology—whenever someone wants to gain his sympathy, they link their opponent to having presidential ambitions.
“But the presidency is not his personal property. Many others have occupied the office before him and left. Just as those who won elections became president, he too must leave when the time comes.”
Fubara, a betrayer – Wike’s aide
In response, Lere Olayinka, the spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dismissed the position of the pro-Fubara PDP leadership.
He said, “If Fubara, who betrayed someone, has now been betrayed, they should deal with it.”
