By Ovie Okpare
The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has denied allegations by the immediate past Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, of reportedly instructing militant groups in the state to attack oil installations as well as planning with some political actors to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
Fubara, while refuting the claims, said Nwaeke was coerced by political opponents to make such unfounded remarks against him and his administration.
In a statement personally signed by the suspended Governor noted that Fubara as an advocate of peace as exemplified in the political crisis in the state would not hire criminals or militants to distabilise his own government.
Nwaeke at a press conference in Abuja on Friday accused his former boss, Fubara, of being responsible for the political crisis in the state.
But reacting to the allegations, Fubara said the allegations were deliberate attempts undermine the peace process which President Tinubu had initiated in the state political crisis.
He urged the people of the state and Nigerians to dismiss the allegations as false as those meetings were never held.
“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”, the statement said.
