Ada George, Wike Camp Trade Blames for Orchestrating Rivers Turmoil
The political turmoil in Rivers State has escalated, with a sharp exchange between the camp of Nyesom Wike and former Governor Ada George.
Former Rivers State Governor, Ada George, who is the chairperson of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, has publicly accused Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), of orchestrating the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Specifically, George has blamed Wike for the imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State, and the appointment of sole administrators in all 23 local government councils.
He also indicated that Wike was directly involved with meetings with the military administrators, that then led to the announcements of the sole administrators.
Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, has refuted these accusations.
Olayinka has accused Ada George of “taking sides” in the political dispute, thereby compromising his position as an elder statesman.
Olayinka has also stated that Ada George and other elders, did not speak up when the Governor Fubara was acting in ways that were against the state house of assembly, and other actions that were taken.
He also accused Ada George of criticizing the president’s intervention in the rivers state crisis, adding that past political actions of Ada George were unexpected of a person of his pedigree.
The core of the dispute revolves around the political power struggle between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The imposition of a state of emergency and the appointment of sole administrators are highly contested actions, with accusations of unconstitutionality.
The role of the elders of the state, and their neutrality is also a major point of contention.
The intervention of the president of Nigeria, and the reactions to that intervention, are also a major point of contention.
This situation reflects the deep political divisions within Rivers State, and the complex dynamics between key political figures.P pls l
