The political situation in Rivers State took a dramatic twist on Friday when Dr. George Nweke, the former Head of Service, accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of orchestrating the bombing of the state House of Assembly complex in 2023.
Nweke claimed that the bombing was carried out by militants allegedly under Fubara’s instructions to stop an impeachment attempt by 27 lawmakers aligned with Minister Nyesom Wike.
Nweke further alleged that Fubara was involved in a broader scheme, which included mobilizing militant groups in Ijaw-speaking areas to sabotage oil facilities in a bid to destabilize the federal government. He also suggested that Fubara held secret meetings with militant leaders, often resulting in large financial transactions.
These accusations were swiftly denied by various groups. Members of the pro-Fubara faction of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed the allegations as unfounded, labeling Nweke as a “serial betrayer.
” Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), condemned the accusations as an attempt to smear the governor. Similarly, Rivers Elders and Leaders Council, headed by Anabs Sara-Igbe, expressed concerns that Nweke’s claims appeared to be made under duress.
Leaders from Omuma Local Government Area, Nweke’s home region, also voiced their support for Governor Fubara, denouncing the allegations as false.
The controversy has further intensified the divide between factions loyal to Fubara and those backing Wike. Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi commented, suggesting that the conflict between Fubara and Wike revolved around financial interests.
Both Amaechi and Bauchi State PDP spokesperson Dayyabu Ciroma dismissed Nweke’s allegations as blackmail, attributing them to political maneuvering in the wake of Fubara’s temporary loss of control in the state.
As tensions escalate, the dispute over the governorship of Rivers State continues to be a central issue in Nigerian politics.
