‘My husband is in trouble’ — wife of Rivers ex-HoS raises the alarm over his safety

Florence, wife of George Nwaeke, former head of Rivers state civil service, has raised the alarm over her husband’s wellbeing.

Speaking with journalists late on Friday, Florence said she could no longer communicate with Nwaeke after he granted an interview about the political crisis in Rivers.

Earlier in the day, Nwaeke, who recently resigned as Rivers head of service, alleged that Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor, orchestrated the instability in the state “to avert his impeachment”.

He claimed that Fubara directed Edison Ehie, his chief of staff, to burn down the Rivers assembly.

Reacting to the claim, Fubara said the former head of service had been “compromised” and was being “coerced” to lie against him.

‘MY HUSBAND IS IN TROUBLE’

Nwaeke’s wife said her husband informed her of his trip to Abuja to meet a friend who wanted to discuss certain matters with him on Friday.

Florence said he also informed her of his arrival when he got to Abuja.

She added that some moments later, she started receiving telephone calls about the interview granted by her husband.

“I said, ‘that is not my husband’. I sent him a message that ‘are you under duress? Have they kidnapped you? Why are you not talking to me’,” she said.

“Jesus help me. Nigerians help me. My husband is in trouble. I sent him messages. He did not respond to me. His numbers are not going through. Nigerians help me.”

Florence also alleged that Nwaeke resigned as head of service because he was asked to sign a document saying Fubara failed to declare N50 billion.

RIVERS POLITICAL CRISIS

The nearly two-year-long political crisis in Rivers culminated in the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu on March 18.

Tinubu had suspended the governor, his deputy Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.

The president immediately appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.