Taiwo Popoola
Mr Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied any involvement in the explosion that occurred at the Rivers State House of Assembly chambers on October 29, 2023.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television on Sunday and that which was monitored by Urban Express News Online, Ehie emphasized that only the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, has access to the Assembly premises after working hours or on weekends.
He insisted that Amaewhule should be questioned regarding the explosion that affected the legislative chambers.
Ehie stated, “It is very important to clarify that I was not, I had no hand in the burning down of the Rivers State Assembly.”
Ehie also revealed that 10 witnesses, including senior police officers, testified before a Federal High Court in Abuja, confirming that they saw the Speaker’s (Amaewhule) convoy, hence the reason for allowing him access to the Assembly complex on the night of October 29, 2023 (the day of the explosion).
Former Rivers State Head of Civil Service, George Nweke, alleged on Friday that Governor Fubara was responsible for the explosion, with Ehie acting as an accomplice.
Reacting to Nweke’s allegations, Ehie said, “I will not join issues completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file an issue of criminal libel against George Nwaeke, and I hope he is very prepared to substantiate his claims and his allegations.”
Ehie continued: “Clearly, the world has seen that George Nwaeke wasn’t in his right frame of mind.”
The Chief of Staff accused Nwaeke of succumbing to political pressures in pursuit of financial gain.
He referenced Nwaeke’s wife’s public outcry over her husband’s sudden disappearance over the weekend, describing Nwaeke as a man who had “betrayed his conscience” and his family “to own the world.”
Ehie also displayed WhatsApp messages allegedly showing Nwaeke soliciting financial assistance shortly after resigning as Head of Service last week, asserting that Nwaeke lacked contentment.
He downplayed Nwaeke’s role in the governance of Rivers State, stating that the former Head of Civil Service did not hold any significant influence.
According to Ehie, Nwaeke never had private meetings with the suspended governor.
He challenged Nwaeke to specify the date and time he visited Fubara without security clearance.
Ehie stated, “George Nwaeke has never, he is not even in the protocol list of those who can have uninterrupted access to the governor.
“The records are in the Government House. The security clearance of the Government House, which I superintend or supervise, is with the DSS.
“I challenge George Nwaeke to mention from the 29th of October 2023, like he claimed, to the other day when he visited Government House, either at odd hours without prior clearance from the DSS, to say that he discussed with the governor. Let him show the record. There is none.”
Ehie further alleged that President Bola Tinubu had been misinformed regarding the ongoing reconstruction of the state Assembly complex.
He noted that the Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Abas, confirmed that the new structure had reached 80% completion and that the contractor had been fully funded.
President Tinubu had previously suggested that Governor Fubara failed to take action on the demolished Assembly structure for 14 months, allegedly aiming to cripple the legislative arm of government.
