The immediate past Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, has alleged that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara orchestrated the bombing of the State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt.
Nwaeke, who previously served under Governor Fubara and was assumed to be his ally, claimed that the governor directed his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to commit the act.
The former Head of Service made these claims during an interview on national television on Friday night.
According to Nwaeke, the suspended governor feared an impending impeachment by the 27 lawmakers, leading him to allegedly order the destruction of the Assembly complex.
He asserted that his confession was made willingly and not under duress, stating that he was not coerced into resigning.
Nwaeke alleged: “It all started with the State House of Assembly, where the governor, 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.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, but I was very scared because I know the power of a sitting governor and he knew that I am aware of the whole plan.”
The former Head of Service, however, urged the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress to call their state chairman to order, stressing that he must not compromise or become partisan as a democrat.
“Let me draw the attention of the Nigerian Labour Congress to call the attention of their chairman, Rivers State Chapter, to order to avoid politicising Labour.
“I am privy to several private meetings between the Governor and the Labour leader in the state and the largesse that accompanied each meeting to compromise the Labour Union,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has approved the payment of salaries for civil servants in the State Civil Service and public servants under the state government.
The administrator ordered the immediate payment of salaries for pensioners and all suspended political appointees in the state.
Ibas had recently suspended all political appointees under the administration of the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement signed by the new Secretary to the State Government, Prof Ibibia Worika, it was explained that the salary payment was for the month of March this year.
In a related development, Ibas on Friday charged all security agencies to collaborate with his administration to maintain peace and avert any breakdown of law and order.
The administrator issued the directive while meeting with Heads of paramilitary organisations at Government House in Port Harcourt.
The Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP) has, however, cautioned Vice Admiral Ibas to steer clear of the statutory allocation and all other funds accruing to Rivers State.
Also, women from the 23 local government areas of the state gathered in Port Harcourt on Friday to seek divine intervention amid the ongoing state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Ibas, acknowledging the need for peace, stated that sustainable development could only be achieved in a secure environment. He urged security agencies to prevent criminal elements from gaining control.
He emphasised: “If you have people who can conduct their legitimate business and they are not able to conduct their business as enshrined in our laws, then they lose out, and criminals take over control of the state.
“I will, therefore, be needing you in all aspects of maintaining this law and order. It therefore means that in conducting your various roles, you must have at heart the interest of Nigeria and the people of Rivers State in particular.”
Ibas further directed: “I will hereby direct that you increase your patrols. If criminals have access to our resources, of course, that means you are emboldening them.
“The responsibility has been given to individuals and organisations; as such, we must all work towards making sure that this state is very, very safe.”
The sole administrator stressed the need for intelligence-sharing among security agencies to tackle kidnapping, illegal activities, and communal conflicts.
He also warned against vehicles without registered plate numbers or with concealed plates, which pose security threats. Additionally, he cautioned against the dangers posed by tankers overturning on roads.
“Our efforts must be to ensure that we reduce insecurity. There is a need for collaboration between you and intelligence-sharing agencies of the federal government.
“You have vehicles that ply our roads that are not registered. You have vehicles that have their plate numbers covered. I do not think that there is any law that permits such individuals to drive on roads.
“I want to ask the Federal Road Safety Corps, in collaboration with Civil Defence and the Police, to ensure that you bring these acts to the minimum,” Ibas stated.
He urged security agencies to work closely with residents at the grassroots level to enhance community policing and create public awareness.
“I think while the Ministry of Information at the state level will coordinate this activity, I will want you all to work together to let those at the grassroots level know the impact of not having a secure environment.
“I think you are all cut out for your jobs, and you know exactly what is expected of you. I want to appreciate your contributions to the development and security of Rivers State over the years and count on all your support to ensure that we secure Rivers State at this point in time more than ever,” he said.
He assured that the state government would continue to support security operations to ensure maximum success in maintaining law and order.
In response, the Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Rivers State Command, Mr Felix Madumere, expressed appreciation for the administrator’s insights, which he said would assist in their daily operations.
Madumere, while wishing Ibas success in his mandate, assured that they would provide the necessary support to ensure he leaves a legacy of security and stability.
In another development, the Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP), in a statement by its Chairman, Obinna Nwachukwu, warned the sole administrator to stay clear of the Rivers allocation.
“Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) must note that no provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), grants him the power under any circumstance whatsoever to appropriate or disburse allocation or any fund accruable to Rivers State,” the statement explained.
Meanwhile, hundreds of women from the 23 LGAs, gathered under the aegis of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), wore black attire, wailing and weeping as they prayed for divine intervention in the state.
Some of the women, speaking with journalists at the prayer session, condemned the state of emergency and the suspension of elected political officers, urging the President to reverse the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other affected officials.
