Rivers Crisis: Wike Claps Back at Ex-governor Who Supported Fubara

• Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT, has responded to former Rivers governor Ada George after he was blamed for the crisis in Rivers State
• Wike, via his media aide Lere Olayinka, claimed that the elders were silent when suspended governor Sim Fubara was displaying his excesses but could now voice out like 'lost children'
• The minister's reaction followed George's allegation that Wike was the one behind the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has reacted to the allegation by the former governor of Rivers state, Ada George, that he should be blamed for the ongoing political crisis in the south-south state.

Wike, who spoke through his special assistant on public communications and social media, Lere Olayinka, said the former governor's comment was both 'funny and unfortunate'.

Rivers saga: Wike's aide speaks

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Wike, through a statement from Olayinka on Thursday, April 10, 2025, said the comments of some Rivers elders were regrettable.

He added that the elders were silent when the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara was acting like an emperor but are now making noise like 'children who lost their most prized toys'.

The statement also condemned Ada George for being part of those who commended the suspended Fubara when the embattled governor withheld the salaries and entitlement of the members of the state House of Assembly.

He also that the former governor was being hypocritical for speaking and blaming Wike over the political crisis rocking Rivers.

Recall that during a media chat, Ada George accused the FCT minister of being behind President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency and the appointments of 23 sole administrators for the local government in the state.

How Wike reacted to George's allegation

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In response to the allegation, the minister’s aide stated that those parading themselves as elders in the state have questionable credibility.

He emphasised that genuine elders should remain neutral during conflicts involving the younger generation, noting that this is how they earn respect and intervene from a place of integrity.

He alleged that the suspended governor Fubara was behind the demolition and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly, while so-called elders like Ada George applauded his actions.

He further claimed that these elders were backing Fubara in his bid to allow just three out of 32 lawmakers to take charge of the Assembly’s affairs.

Olayinka noted that the three members did not meet the quorum of 11 required to constitute one-third of the House, nor did they reach the 22 members needed to form the two-thirds majority required to pass the budget.

Wike's full statement shared by Olayinka is included below:

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Rivers LG chairmen: Court stops state administrator

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Rivers state administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), was ordered to stop the appointment of officials for the state's local government.

Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed granted the order in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, which was filed by head of the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, Courage Msirimovu.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng