•Edison Ehie
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.
Ehie said that only the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, has access to the Assembly premises after working hours or on weekends.
He disclosed this while speaking as a guest on Channels Television last night, insisting that Amaewhule should be questioned regarding the explosion that affected the legislative chambers.
Former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, had earlier alleged that Fubara and Ehie were masterminds of the burning of the Assembly Complex.
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.
“Like everyone else, I woke up in the early house of 30th of October 2023 to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Ehie said the Speaker of the Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, should be questioned about the fire in the State House of Assembly complex in October 2023, alleging that the fire started on an evening shortly after security officials allowed the Speaker’s convoy into the complex.
“He was the Speaker as of then because he is the only one who has access, whether it’s the wee hours, not to talk of the weekend.
“Once it’s over 6 pm, there’s only one person who can access the Rivers Assembly complex and it’s the Speaker, being the presiding officer,” he said.
Ehie said he has instructed his lawyers to initiate a criminal libel suit against Nwaeke for his false claims.
“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,” he said.
Ehie, further said Nwaeke has yielded to political enemies “to satisfy his hunger for emergency riches”.
He said the outcry by Nwaeke’s wife on the sudden disappearance of her husband has revealed the story of a man who “betrayed his conscience” and his family “to own the world”.
“George is not a contented man,” he said, arguing that Nwaeke is not speaking from his right frame of mind.
Ehie also said Nwaeke does not wield any particular or influential role in the governance of Rivers State.
The chief of staff refuted claims of Nwaeke’s close relationship with Fubara, saying the former head of service didn’t have private meetings with the suspended governor. He challenged Nwaeke to mention the day and time he visited Fubara without security clearance.
Ehie said, “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.”
