The political landscape in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is calling for an investigation into suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This comes after allegations made by the former Head of Service (HoS), George Nwaeke. The APC’s demand for a probe has intensified the already raging political tensions in the state. Rivers State has been plagued by a deepening crisis of governance and accountability.
The crisis in Rivers State began when Fubara was elected as the governor of the state in 2023. He was suspended by the state’s House of Assembly due to allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. The suspension was followed by the imposition of a state of emergency in the state. President Bola Tinubu appointed a sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the state.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has called for the probe of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He also wants investigation into Governor’s loyalists over the demolition of the state House of Assembly complex. Okocha alleges misappropriation of funds is involved.
Okocha based his call on the statement by former Head of Service in the state, George Nwaeke. Nwaeke alleged at the weekend that Fubara sponsored the bombing of the Assembly complex. This was to avert his impeachment by lawmakers.
Nwaeke served as the HoS under Fubara’s administration. He made the allegations against the suspended governor in several video recordings. These recordings were released to the public. In the recordings, Nwaeke claimed that Fubara sponsored the bombing of the State House of Assembly complex. The goal was to prevent his impeachment by lawmakers. Nwaeke also alleged that he saw Fubara giving a bag of money to his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie. This was to destroy the Assembly complex.
Fubara and Ehie have vehemently denied the allegations made by Nwaeke, describing them as “childish, incoherent, and ill-prepared.” Fubara’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Jerry Omotsegunwa, dismissed the allegations. He said that Nwaeke’s claims were fraught with inconsistencies. They also lacked credibility. Omotsegunwa also questioned the motives. Was Nwaeke part of a larger plot to discredit Fubara and his administration?
Fubara’s camp has denied the allegations. Despite this, the APC in Rivers State has called for a thorough investigation. These are into the allegations made by Nwaeke. The party’s chairman in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, said that Nwaeke’s allegations could not be dismissed. This is due to Nwaeke’s position as the number three man in the state. Okocha also criticized those attacking Nwaeke for speaking out, saying that the APC would function as watchdogs in the matter.
The deepening political crisis in Rivers State has significant implications for the state’s governance and accountability. The crisis has already led to the imposition of a state of emergency in the state. This development has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions. It has also raised concerns about the rule of law. The crisis has also led to a breakdown in law and order in the state, with reports of violence and intimidation against perceived opponents of Fubara’s administration.
The demand by the APC in Rivers State for a probe. The probe is into the allegations made by Nwaeke against Fubara. This demand has added a new dimension to the deepening political crisis in the state. As the crisis continues to unfold, it is evident that the people of Rivers State face a prolonged and tumultuous period. It is imperative that all parties involved in the crisis prioritize the interests of the people of Rivers State and work towards finding a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis.