ABUJA, Nigeria – George Nwaeke, the embattled former Head of Service of Rivers State, has made serious accusations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, alleging widespread financial mismanagement and a directive to burn down the state’s House of Assembly.
Speaking over the weekend, Nwaeke claimed that the scale of the alleged misappropriation of public funds was “mind-boggling,” asserting that the state’s financial mismanagement was unprecedented, especially given the large allocations received during Fubara’s brief tenure as governor.
“I cannot disclose all my evidence to the media as some are sensitive. I will present the details to the proper authorities when necessary,” Nwaeke said.
“The level of public funds and assets misappropriated in the last two years is unprecedented.”
In a press conference held in Abuja on Friday, March 28, 2025, Nwaeke went further, accusing Fubara of ordering his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly in an effort to prevent his impeachment.
“I was at the Government House when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside,” Nwaeke claimed, adding that he would provide evidence to security agencies when required.
In response to the allegations, Governor Fubara dismissed Nwaeke’s claims, suggesting that the former Head of Service had been “compromised” and was being “coerced” into making false statements.
Nwaeke’s accusations took a more personal turn when his wife, Florence Nwaeke, claimed on Friday evening that she had lost contact with her husband after he made public statements regarding the political crisis in Rivers State.
She alleged that Nwaeke had been kidnapped and that his press conference was conducted under duress.
However, in a brief video response, Nwaeke refuted his wife’s claims, stating that he was safe and had not been abducted.
“After my press conference yesterday, I saw a video of my wife claiming I was kidnapped and forced to speak under duress. That is untrue. My wife cannot speak for me on civil service matters when I am healthy and mentally sound,” he said.
Nwaeke suggested that his wife may have been threatened or coerced into making the statement.
The former Head of Service also criticized Fubara’s response to his allegations, pointing out that the governor had not denied the central claim regarding the attack on the state assembly.
“I listened to the suspended governor’s reaction to my press statement. I am surprised he did not deny my allegations regarding the assembly attack, which was the main issue. Instead, he focused on other matters,” Nwaeke said.
Nwaeke vehemently denied any accusations of being compromised, maintaining that his statements were based on his own observations and convictions.
“If I were to be compromised, it would certainly not be by my benefactor who appointed me as Head of Service. I have never been compromised,” he concluded.
