Former Rivers State Governor, Ada George, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of orchestrating the political turmoil in the state, including the controversial declaration of a state of emergency and the appointment of sole administrators across all 23 local government areas.
George, who governed Rivers State from 1992 to 1993 and now chairs the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, made the allegations during a media briefing amid the ongoing political crisis. He claimed that the FCT Minister is behind the instability, seeking to undermine the state’s leadership after failing to gain political control.
“The FCT Minister is the mastermind behind all of this,” George asserted. “He could set states on fire where the governors do not align with his views. That is exactly what I believe he is trying to do in Rivers State. Enough is enough. We will not allow him to destroy Rivers State any longer.”
He further claimed that the FCT Minister was in Rivers State shortly before the controversial decisions were made. “He was reportedly here on the evening of the 7th, visiting the military administrator, and then this announcement came through,” George said.
George condemned the appointment of sole administrators as unconstitutional, viewing it as a direct threat to democracy. “There are established legal processes for appointing local government leadership. This move undermines those processes.”
While emphasizing the Rivers Elders Forum’s commitment to peaceful solutions, George warned that the people of the state would not passively accept further provocation. “We cannot resort to violence, but we will resist in any way necessary to prevent any disruption or destabilization of this state.”
Despite the growing tensions, George shared that the forum had initially hoped the FCT Minister would take a more conciliatory approach. “We had hoped he would engage with stakeholders to help calm tensions and resolve issues between the parties, rather than escalate them,” he remarked.
Quoting Nigeria’s first president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, George appealed for calm: “Surulere, Surulere”—meaning be patient and remain silent.
He also revealed that the Rivers Elders Forum had sent written communications to both Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike at the onset of the crisis, but received no response. “We reached out to both parties in writing, but unfortunately, neither had the courtesy to reply,” he stated.
George reiterated the forum’s commitment to upholding lawful processes and seeking legal redress when necessary. “We will pursue court action where needed. We already have ongoing cases, and we will continue to seek justice,” he concluded
