Former Governor of Rivers State, Rufus Ada George, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of masterminding the ongoing political turmoil in Rivers State, including the controversial imposition of a state of emergency and the appointment of sole administrators across all 23 local government areas.
Ada George, who governed the state between 1992 and 1993 and now serves as the Chairman of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, made the claims during a press briefing on Thursday, following a series of political developments that have heightened tensions in the oil-rich state.
He alleged that Wike, a former governor of the state himself, has been relentlessly pushing his political agenda and destabilizing the state after failing to maintain influence over the current leadership.
“He could set ablaze states where the governors did not share his views. And that is exactly what I think he is trying to do in Rivers State,” Ada George said. “Enough is enough. We will not allow him to set Rivers State ablaze anymore.”
According to him, Wike was present in the state just days before the controversial appointments were made. Ada George condemned the move, calling it a blatant disregard for constitutional governance and a threat to democratic principles.
“The appointment of sole administrators is unconstitutional,” he said. “There are laid down legal processes for constituting local government leadership. This action undermines those principles.”
While calling for calm, Ada George emphasized that the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum would continue to explore peaceful and legal avenues to resolve the crisis. However, he warned that the people of Rivers State would not stand idly by in the face of continued provocation.
The state remains tense as stakeholders and observers watch how the federal and state authorities respond to the escalating situation.
