The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new turn as suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Head of Service (HOS) Dr. George Nweke engage in a heated war of words over the bombing of oil pipelines and the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.
Nweke, who recently resigned from his position, accused Fubara of orchestrating both incidents to prevent his impeachment. Fubara, however, dismissed the claims, describing them as lies from a compromised individual.
House of Assembly Burning and Pipeline Explosion
The crisis dates back to 2023, when suspected political thugs set fire to the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly late at night, causing widespread panic. More recently, on March 18, 2025, an explosion rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community, Gokana Local Government Area. The blast occurred near the ongoing Bodo-Bonny Road project, further escalating tensions in the state. Unlike previous instances when militant groups took responsibility for such attacks, no one has claimed ownership of these incidents.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has since convicted and jailed five Port Harcourt residents for their involvement in burning the Assembly complex, labeling the act as terrorism.
Nwaeke’s Explosive Allegations
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Nweke claimed that Fubara personally directed his then Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to set the Assembly complex on fire in an attempt to stop his impeachment. He also alleged that the governor had planned to demolish the residential quarters of state lawmakers.
“It all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the Assembly to prevent his impeachment,” Nweke said.
He further claimed that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Edison Ehie for the operation. “I was there with them when a bag of money was given to Edison for the operation. I did not know the exact amount inside,” he added.
Nweke also accused Fubara of planning to destroy oil pipelines to destabilize the federal government and pave the way for a new political order. He alleged that Fubara had once told him, “At the appropriate time, I will tell the boys what to do,” suggesting that the governor had a hand in the recent pipeline explosion.
“The plan was to start with non-Ijaw speaking areas like Ogoni, Oyigbo, and Ahoada before moving to Ijaw territories to make it look like a statewide crisis,” Nweke alleged.
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Fubara Fires Back: “Nweke is Lying”
In a swift response, Fubara denied all allegations, accusing Nweke of spreading falsehoods for political gain.
“The truth is that Dr. Nweke 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,” Fubara said in a statement from Port Harcourt.
He dismissed the claim that he was involved in any secret meetings to attack pipelines, stating, “It is on record that I have always preached peace in Rivers State, even in the face of provocation.”
Fubara also refuted the allegation that he was planning to support Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for the 2027 presidential election, calling it “laughable.”
“Nweke was never part of any high-level political discussions. His claims that I held secret meetings with Bala Mohammed and militants are false. The entire world saw when the Bauchi governor visited Rivers State as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. There was nothing secret about that,” Fubara added.
Wife Raises Alarm: “My Husband Was Abducted”
Amid the growing controversy, Florence Nweke, the wife of the former HOS, has raised concerns over her husband’s sudden public appearance in Abuja, where he made the allegations against Fubara.
According to her, Nweke had informed her of his safe arrival in Abuja but later appeared in a televised interview, making statements that, according to her, seemed unlike the man she knew.
She said, “The man I saw on television did not look or sound like my husband. I believe he is being forced to say these things. I have tried reaching him several times, but his phones are switched off. I don’t know where he is or if he is safe. My husband is in trouble.”
Her statement has added another layer of mystery to the unfolding crisis, raising questions about whether Nweke was acting under pressure.
Tensions Rise as Rivers Awaits Next Move
The political crisis in Rivers State continues to escalate, with no clear resolution in sight. President Bola Tinubu’s intervention, which led to the suspension of Fubara and the declaration of a state of emergency, has not stopped the political drama.
With both sides standing firm, the people of Rivers State remain caught in the middle, waiting to see how this high-stakes political battle will unfold.