A video has emerged showing Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara closely observing as bulldozers demolish the State House of Assembly complex.

In the footage, the governor who has now been suspended, is seen wearing a blue shirt and a pair of jeans while monitoring the demolition.

Fubara has been at the centre of a political crisis which has pitted him against his former godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The state government previously justified the demolition, citing damage from a fire in late 2023 and structural defects in the building. However, Wike’s allies claim the move was a strategy to prevent Fubara’s impeachment, as most lawmakers are aligned with Wike.

Recently, former Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, has accused Governor Fubara of ordering the bombing of the Assembly complex in 2023 to block his impeachment.

Speaking at a news briefing on Friday, Nwaeke claimed he witnessed money being handed to former Assembly leader Edison Ehie, who later became Fubara’s Chief of Staff, to carry out the attack.

He alleged, “First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the Assembly to avert his impeachment. That evening, Edison was in Government House with two other boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke.

“I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside. I want to tell the people of Rivers State today that the House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road was deliberately brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will provide more details.”

Nwaeke further alleged that there was an attempt to demolish the residential quarters of Assembly members, which was only prevented by public outcry.

He claimed, “Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members. If not for the press conference held there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders, and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.

“I realised that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because, weeks later, he personally told me that if he had known earlier, he would have pulled down their hall before targeting the residential quarters of the Assembly. He didn’t realise they had such a beautiful hall where they are now holding their sittings.

“I was shocked and asked myself: how could a man who wants to lead his people be destroying state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight?”

Nwaeke claims he has evidence to support his allegations and intends to present it to security agencies. However, it has not been independently verified whether he has reported to authorities.

Meanwhile, the camp of Governor Fubara has dismissed the accusations, claiming that Nwaeke is spreading lies against the governor in exchange for financial incentives from political opponents.