The former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Austin Tam-George, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that it will likely worsen the ongoing political crisis instead of resolving it.
Speaking on Arise Television on Tuesday, Tam-George argued that the power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is rooted in deep political differences that cannot be solved by force.
He explained that Governor Fubara wants to use the state’s resources for development, while Wike, his predecessor, seeks to maintain control over the state’s finances and political structure.
“Today is the saddest day in Rivers State since its creation in 1967. The Wike faction created the situation that led to this state of emergency,” Tam-George said.
Tam-George, who resigned from Wike’s government after two years, accused him of failing to focus on development and resorting to violence. He also raised concerns over the increasing military presence in the state.
“I have seen videos of military personnel entering the Rivers State Government House. This will likely escalate the crisis rather than resolve it,” he stated.
According to him, Wike is unhappy because Fubara refuses to let him dictate how state funds should be spent.
“Wike wants to control Fubara and the state’s resources, but Fubara is resisting. Their ideologies are completely different, so I doubt this issue will be resolved even after the six-month state of emergency.”
Tam-George also criticised President Tinubu for not being neutral in the conflict.
He claimed the president’s intervention favoured Wike, as Tinubu’s speech did not mention Wike while placing most of the blame on Governor Fubara.
“The president is not acting as a neutral party. His eight-point resolution favoured Wike and went against Fubara. It’s clear that he is supporting Wike instead of staying impartial.”
