The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Vice Admiral Ibom Ibas (retd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, of systematically dismantling the governance structures previously established by the suspended Governor, Siminialayi Fubara.
The party also condemned the former Head of Service of the state, Dr. George Nweke, for what it described as his consistent betrayal.
According to the PDP, Nweke has been used by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to spread false information about Fubara and his administration.
Nname Ewor, the PDP state chairman, made these remarks in response to allegations made by Dr. Nweke against Governor Fubara, the PDP, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Ewor criticized the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, accusing the Sole Administrator of dismantling governance structures set up by Fubara.
Ewor questioned the rationale behind the state of emergency, highlighting that Rivers State was not facing war, security threats, or natural disasters that would justify such a declaration.
He also questioned whether the actions taken by the Sole Administrator would lead to peace or contribute to further unrest.
The PDP chairman dismissed claims made by Nweke, including accusations that Governor Fubara was involved in the bombing of the House of Assembly and that he had promised to support Senator Bala Mohammed in the 2027 elections. Ewor described these allegations as unfounded and false.
He added: “Nweke, a compromised individual and serial betrayer, has been manipulated by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to launch a smear campaign against our Governor, his team, and others, including the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed, and the Ijaw nation.”
Ex-Judge Criticizes Tinubu’s Decision to Allocate Funds to Sole Administrator
Former President of the Delta State Customary Court, Justice Miakpor Emiaso (retd.), has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to allocate Rivers State’s funds to the Sole Administrator.
Emiaso called the move unlawful and unconstitutional, asserting, “It is wrong to release funds to a sole administrator. The constitution does not allow for the appointment of a sole administrator to manage a state. Such an appointment is unconstitutional, and anything the administrator does is invalid.”
He further stated, “The constitution does not permit the suspension of an elected official, especially a governor. The president’s decision to suspend the Rivers State governor is a dangerous precedent that threatens our democracy. It suggests that any governor could be suspended at the president’s discretion, which contradicts the principles of democracy and constitutional law.”
Emiaso warned that the president’s actions could undermine the democratic system in Nigeria.
Emiaso Critiques Nweke’s Role
Emiaso also criticized Dr. Nweke’s actions, asserting that the former Head of Service, with over 40 years of experience in the state civil service, was fully aware of his actions. Emiaso accused Nweke of engaging in a plot to tarnish Governor Fubara’s reputation and create divisions between him and the President.
“Nweke’s claims that he was with the Governor when he allegedly handed money to Edison Ehie to bomb the House of Assembly are completely false,” Emiaso said. “The truth is that the police arrested and charged several suspects in connection with the bombing, but the case was dismissed earlier this year due to lack of diligent prosecution.”
Emiaso also rejected Nweke’s assertion that Fubara had promised to support Senator Bala Mohammed in the 2027 elections, pointing out that Governor Mohammed had not expressed any intention to run for president.
“Nweke and his collaborators fabricated this narrative to undermine Fubara and sow discord between him and the President. It is a baseless lie,” Emiaso concluded.
