Former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, has refuted claims made by his wife, Florence, that he had been kidnapped. In a video released on Saturday, Nwaeke assured the public that he was safe in Abuja and had voluntarily reported to security agencies to address pressing issues concerning the state.
Nwaeke dismissed his wife’s claim, suggesting that she had been misled into spreading false information. “I am currently at TRANSCORP in Abuja. I arrived from Port Harcourt this morning to meet with security agencies and provide details on the situation unfolding in Rivers State. My resignation as Head of Service on Monday was a result of these troubling developments,” he stated.
He further clarified, “I saw a video circulating of my wife claiming I had been kidnapped. She was deceived and given a script to read. I want to make it absolutely clear that I am not kidnapped. I am here in Abuja by choice, handling my affairs. My wife was never involved in my official duties, and her statement holds no merit. I will be engaging with security agencies because I feel safer addressing these concerns here.”
His statement follows his wife’s emotional plea, in which she expressed fear over his whereabouts after an online interview surfaced featuring her husband, which she found suspicious. Florence Nwaeke, speaking to journalists on Friday, described her distress, stating, “That is not my husband. I sent him a message asking if he was under duress or kidnapped, but I received no response. His numbers have not been reachable. Nigerians, help me! My husband is in trouble.”
She also reached out to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for assistance, coinciding with earlier allegations by Nwaeke against the governor. Nwaeke had accused Fubara of orchestrating the 2023 burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly to avoid impeachment, a claim the governor has denied.
Recounting the alleged events, Nwaeke stated, “The governor instructed his then Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to set the Assembly complex on fire to obstruct his impeachment. That evening, Edison was at the Government House with two others, including a former local government chairman. I was there when a bag of money was handed to Edison for the operation. I don’t know the exact amount, but I can confirm that the destruction of the Assembly was deliberate.”
He further alleged that plans were in place to demolish the residential quarters of the lawmakers, which were only prevented by public outcry. “After the Assembly incident, I considered resigning, but I feared the power of a sitting governor. He knew I was aware of the plans and that I was uncomfortable with the destruction of state property.”
Governor Fubara has denied all allegations, asserting that Nwaeke’s claims are politically motivated. “He is simply fulfilling promises made to those who may have coerced or incentivized him,” the governor stated.
Nwaeke maintained that his resignation was voluntary and not influenced by external pressure. “I was neither sacked nor forced to resign. It was a personal decision that I made wholeheartedly,” he concluded.
