You’re paid or coerced to lie against me — Fubara speaks on ex-Rivers HoS’ allegations

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed allegations made against him by George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service in the state, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

Nwaeke, who resigned from his position on Tuesday, had accused Fubara of orchestrating the state’s political crisis, holding secret meetings with militants, and encouraging the destruction of oil pipelines.

Reacting to the claims in a statement on X early Saturday, Fubara described the allegations as laughable, asserting that Nwaeke had been compromised and was acting under pressure. 

He argued that as Head of Service, Nwaeke would not have been privy to high-level political meetings, let alone any alleged nocturnal gatherings with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and militant groups. 

Fubara insisted that no such meetings ever took place and that Mohammed’s visit to the state as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum was public knowledge.

He further rejected the claims that he had encouraged attacks on oil infrastructure, maintaining that he had always championed peace despite political tensions in the state. 

He alleged that Nwaeke was fulfilling an agenda for those who had either paid or coerced him into making false accusations.

Calling on Rivers residents and Nigerians to disregard Nwaeke’s statements, Fubara described them as a desperate attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine ongoing peace efforts facilitated by the president.

The statement 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.

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“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.”

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