March 29, (THEWILL) – The political crisis in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on Friday, as Florence Nwaeke, wife of the former Head of Service, George Nwaeke, raised alarm that her husband’s allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara were made under duress.
Nwaeke had alleged in an interview on Friday that Governor Fubara masterminded the bombing of the complex of the State House of Assembly, in Port Harcourt.
The immediate-past HoS, who recently resigned his appointment, alleged, “Sir Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff to burn down the Assembly in a way to avert his suspected impeachment. That evening, Edison was in Government House with many of his boys, including the former chairman of Obio/Akpor, one Mr Chijioke Ihunwo. I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation.”
He further accused the governor of secretly backing Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for the 2027 presidential election and claimed Fubara had been engaging with militants to attack oil installations and other strategic assets in Rivers State.
But speaking to journalists late Friday, a distressed Mrs Nwaeke expressed fears for her husband’s life, claiming she had lost all communication with him since he travelled to Abuja.
“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”, she recounted, battling tears.
She further stated that after watching the interview circulating online, she became more alarmed.
“I sent him a message, asking, ‘Are you under duress? Have they kidnapped you? Talk to me now. Why are you not talking to me?”, she said, adding that his numbers had since been unreachable.
In another video, Mrs Nwaeke made a direct appeal to Governor Fubara, pleading for her husband’s safety.
“Governor, help me. My husband is in trouble”, she cried. According to her, Mr Nwaeke resigned under duress and was being forced to make confessions against his will.
Reacting to the allegations, Governor Fubara dismissed Nwaeke’s claims as baseless
“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 pressured him to lie against me”, Fubara stated in a late-night release.
To support his claim, the governor published alleged chat records between Mr Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Ederson Ehie. The chats purportedly revealed that Nwaeke had been seeking financial assistance in exchange for his loyalty, complaining that his N500,000 salary was insufficient.
A statement by Fubara 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.”.
Meanwhile, Nwaeke, has denied claims by his wife that he was kidnapped, stating that he is safe in Abuja and voluntarily reported to security agencies.
In a video released early Saturday, Nwaeke dismissed his wife’s claim as false, suggesting she had been misled.
“I am in TRANSCORP Abuja. I arrived this morning from Port Harcourt to meet security agencies and report myself, as well as the troubling events happening in Rivers State. I resigned as Head of Service on Monday because of these developments.
“I just saw a video of my wife trending. She was told I had been kidnapped and given a script to read. I want to make it clear—I am not kidnapped. I am in Abuja, working.
“When I was Head of Service, my wife was not involved in my official duties. That script she read is null and void. I am safe and sound. I will report myself to the appropriate security agencies because Abuja houses their headquarters and I feel safer making my report here”, he stated.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
