Former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Rivers State, Austin Tam-George, has expressed reservations over President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state

This is as he warned that the move will likely escalate rather than resolve the ongoing political crisis.

Speaking on an Arise Television programme on Tuesday evening, Tam-George argued that the power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is deeply ideological and cannot be settled through executive fiat.

According to the former commissioner, Fubara is determined to use the state’s resources for developmental projects, while Wike, his predecessor, seeks to retain control over the state’s finances and political structure.

“Today is the saddest day in Rivers State since its creation in 1967. The Wike group created the room for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

“I resigned from the Wike government after two years because he did not commit to development and because of his propensity for violence,” Tam-George stated.

Expressing concern over the heavy military presence in the state, he said, “I have received footage of military people entering the government house in Rivers State. This will likely aggravate the situation in Rivers State.

“Wike’s grouse is Fubara’s stance that Rivers resources should be used for development of the state.

“Wike wants to be the godfather of Fubara such that he dictates how the government should spend the state resources and Fubara is not buying into Wike’s agenda.

“The two have different ideologies so I doubt this matter will be resolved even after the six-month state of emergency.”

Tam-George also took a swipe at Tinubu, accusing him of failing to act as a neutral arbiter in the conflict.

He argued that the president’s intervention appeared one-sided, as he conspicuously avoided mentioning Wike in his speech while outlining resolutions that disproportionately affected Governor Fubara.

“The president is not a neutral party. The eight points of resolution, when Tinubu intervened, were against Fubara. His fingerprints are written over the crisis. Wike was not mentioned in the speech for once.

“The president has given the impression of being an active supporter of Wike. He should have risen above partisanship,” he said.

The crisis in Rivers State has intensified in recent months, with deep divisions between political camps loyal to Wike and those backing Fubara.

With Tinubu’s emergency declaration, concerns have heightened over the potential for increased instability and further entrenchment of political hostilities.