The deepening political crisis in Rivers State has entered what many see as high wire video wars as George Nweke, the man who resigned as head of service (HoS) pledging unflinching loyalty to Gov Sim Fubara has released a video accusing same governor of praising the declaration of state of emergency.

He has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring the emergency and by implication for suspending Gov Fubara. He went ahead to levy serious allegations linking the suspended governor with militant group and sabotage of oil facilities. He claimed to be an eyewitness to plans to set the House of Assembly ablaze.

He said the video was recorded at a press conference.

Few hours later, another video erupted showing Florence, wife of the former HoS, screaming that her husband was not himself and could not have made the video. She accused one Henry Ogiri, a professor, of knowing about her husband’s whereabouts. “Let Nigerians help me oh, my husband is missing, he is in trouble.”

Next, Nweke released another video saying he was very safe and comfortable at a hotel in Abuja, but that it was the wife that was in trouble. He said the Fubara camp has penetrated his wife with false information but assured her to relax.

Gov Fubara has swiftly reacted, denying everything and anything Nweke said in the video.

Fubara said it was impossible that Nweke would have been present if he wanted to discuss such sensitive things the HoS mentioned such as how to bomb places.

Fubara said: “Ordinarily, I would not have responded to his claims, but to correct the erroneous impression such allegations may create in the minds of the people, and the disaffection it is bound to cause in the state and the country.

“First, on the claim that he was aware of my discussions and plans to support Bala Mohammed’s alleged 2027 presidential bid, it is laughable that Dr. Nwaeke would be part of any high-level political meeting as Head of Service, much more sitting in my alleged night meetings with Bala Mohammed and militants like he claimed. Howbeit, none of such meetings ever held.”

He said the visit of the Bauchi State Governor, as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum, was not a secret. He also said it was ludicrous for Nwaeke to claim that he was aware of the governor’s meetings to encourage attacks on oil pipelines and other National assets in the State. He said there was no such meeting.

“It is on record that I have been at the forefront preaching peace in the State even in the face of obvious provocations.

“The truth is that Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me.

“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything (and anything) said by Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President.”

Meanwhile, the Professor mentioned by Nweke’s wife has responded denying everything she said. Ogiri said network recordings and air traffic records would show he never travelled out of Rivers State within the period she claimed.

The Fubara camp has released various whatsapp posts allegedly showing Nweke’s profuse appreciation to Gov Fubara of recent including where he allegedly showed financial desperations.

It was predicted that the Rivers crisis would get higher into what experts called ‘Week of Long Knives’ where such intrigues and fierce manipulations were envisaged.

All these are said to point to the direction of the crisis and to show that the peace expected from the state of emergency may not be anywhere near. (BusinessDay)