Former Obio/Akpor Local Government Chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, has refuted any connection to the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.
In a statement, Ihunwo dismissed the accusations made by former Head of Service, George Nwaeke, calling them a baseless attempt to damage his reputation.
The statement read,
My attention has been drawn to the statement credited to the former Head of Service in Rivers State, George Nwaeke, which aired on Channels Television on the 28th of March, 2025. In his statement, he claimed that I was present in a meeting held at the Rivers State Government House where the decision to set fire to the assembly complex was allegedly made.
Normally, I would have chosen to remain silent in the face of such accusations. However, it has become imperative for me to address this issue in order to rectify the defamatory nature of his remarks, which could potentially sow seeds of doubt and mistrust among the people of Rivers State and Nigerians.
The assertion made by George Nwaeke holds no truth whatsoever, as I held no official position within the governor’s administration nor was I a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly. These facts alone negate the possibility of my presence in any meeting with the governor at the government house.
It is crucial for Nigerians and particularly the residents of Obio/Akpor to dismiss George Nwaeke’s claims as nothing more than a desperate ploy to besmirch my reputation. Such unfounded and baseless allegations are not only damaging but also indicative of a malicious intent to malign my character without any factual basis.
Therefore, I urge everyone to see through the veil of deceit that has been cast and to not allow themselves to be swayed by the ill-intentioned words of individuals seeking to tarnish my good name.
