…denies kidnapping claims, say wife does not speak for him

By Gloria Ikibah

The immediate past Head of Service of Rivers State, Dr. George Nweke, has urged the Federal Government to establish an independent investigative panel in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Nweke questioned why, more than a year after the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, no inquiry had been initiated.

Addressing recent reports, he also clarified that he was not kidnapped, as claimed in the media, and stated that his wife does not speak on his behalf.

He said: You will recall that yesterday I addressed the press. After some hours of addressing the press, I saw a video of my wife trending online. That I was kidnapped and that I made my statement under duress. I’ve already debunked that.

“My wife cannot speak for me on civil service matters when I’m still healthy and mentally very fit. Let me say it again. I was not kidnapped.

“Thank God you heard her when she said that I flew from Port Harcourt to Abuja. I flew with Ebola Air. At least no kidnapper can carry me on a flight.

“And I know probably, and I believe, that she would have been misinformed. As head of my family, I apologize sincerely to the public on her behalf. Maybe I also think that she did that so that she would escape any harm.

“But you know they were already hunting for me. So they went and frightened her. She must have done that also to secure herself.

“I’ve also spoken to my wife, who I can tell you that I am her Chief Security Officer.

“I have directed her to meet me where I am. Or where I will meet her up in Port Harcourt soon. After I’m done with the State and Security Office in Port Harcourt, I’ll meet her soon.

“I also listened to the suspended governor’s reaction to my press statement. I was surprised that he never debunked my allegations of bringing down the assembly, which was the main subject matter. Rather, he was talking about other issues.

“The big question is this, and I want you to reason. This is over one year that the assembly was brought down. Yet, no panel of inquiry was set up.

“And there has not been any report on that incident from the state government until date. At least, until the time I can remember. Maybe yesterday.

“I don’t know if today. Not even a police investigation. I call on the federal government to set up an independent investigation team.

“The truth, which is known on the lips of every person that’s on the streets of Port Harcourt anyway, will now be made formal.

“At this point, I know and it’s understandable that I could be making some feeble denial of not having told me these things. But this doesn’t change the facts. And all I wish to do is to tell the public the truth.

“What is done with the truth is for the state and for the growth of our nation. Lastly, I want to state here that I’m not a politician. I’m a career civil servant”.

When ask as to what information he has on the looting of public funds in Rivers State, Dr. Nweke said he was waiting for the antigraft agency to invite him, then he will be able to speak on such sensitive matters.

“Some are sensitive or more sensitive than this. I will give details to the proper authorities when required of me. The level of stealing of public funds and assets witnessed in the last two years is mind-boggling and never ever experienced in the history of the state.

“As we also had the highest allocation ever during this period. I’ve also heard people saying that I have been compromised. If at all I could be compromised, then it should have been the Governor, who is my benefactor, who actually appointed me as Head of Service of River State.

“I want to tell you here that I never compromised. While I was in the system, why would it be now that I’ve compromised myself? Now that I’ve left the system, finally. What was the reason of going to my house to harass my wife in the name of interviewing her instead of calling me for a reaction? Why did they go to harass my wife? This is so personal to me because they brought my wife to public disgrace”, he asserted.

He therefore called on citizens of Rivers not to destroy the peace in the state for peanuts but condemn what is bad.

“Let me also advise my fellow citizens of River State that they should not destroy our state for peanuts. Let me advise politicians, please, don’t destroy your state for peanuts. Condemn what is bad.

“Evil is evil. And bringing down a parliament is evil. Targeting national assets for destruction is evil.

“Intentionally whipping up tribal sectional settlements is evil. We must condemn this.

“I’m a beneficiary of the government of River State. I cannot, therefore, watch this state, which I have benefited from, to be destroyed by politicians for their personal ego. I cannot also give all my evidences on the media.

“I want to reiterate here that I love my state. This state gave me the opportunity to grow from level zero to the enviable position of Head of Service. It cannot be brought down this way.

“It makes me to cry. This state cannot be destroyed this way. The state that was once the pride of the whole nation cannot be turned into dustbin just overnight.

Nweke also called on President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies to come and save the state from destruction.

“For justice. And for good governance. Finally, to Mr. President and the security agencies.

“I beg you. Don’t sweep this under the carpet. Please.

“Don’t sweep this under the carpet. Come and save River State from destruction. Governor Similayi Fubara  and his infidel cohorts have invested much in destroying River State.

“Let it stop now. Let me say here that this may be the last conference I will grant on this matter. As I am not financially buoyant to continue on this trajectory.

“The rest that I will do will be with the security agencies. Any other press granted now by any other person around me should please be disregarded. These are serious issues that should not be discussed much on the media”, the former HoS stated.