Former Rivers State Commissioner for Information under Nyesom Wike‘s administration, Austin Tam-George, has delved into the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, attributing the tensions to a deep-seated conflict over resource control and governance priorities.
In a detailed interview with News Central on Friday, Tam-George elaborated that the discord between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stems from irreconcilable ideological differences. These differences, he noted, have rendered collaboration between the two leaders practically impossible.
Tam-George accused Wike of attempting to centralize control over the state’s resources for personal benefit, asserting that Governor Fubara has remained steadfast in resisting such moves. He stated, “The Governor has not taken any aggressive action against the Minister. Ironically, it is the FCT Minister who has been antagonizing the administration with public declarations of his intent to destabilize the state. The Governor is merely safeguarding the interests of Rivers State.”
He further clarified that the ongoing feud is not a personal vendetta between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike but rather a broader struggle over the ethical management of the state’s resources. “The core issue,” Tam-George explained, “is that the FCT Minister wants to appropriate the resources of Rivers State for himself, while the Governor insists that these resources should serve the people of the state. This is not about personal differences but an ideological conflict that defines how governance should work.”
Addressing the possibility of reconciliation, Tam-George was unequivocal in his assessment. He stated that any form of reconciliation between the two political heavyweights is unlikely until the resource control issue is comprehensively resolved. “This is a battle between forces advocating for the privatization and capture of the state, represented by the FCT Minister, and the Governor, who is committed to ensuring the resources benefit all Rivers people. Until this ideological clash is settled, reconciliation is unlikely,” he explained.
Tam-George called on Wike to allow Governor Fubara to focus on his developmental agenda for the state. “My advice to the FCT Minister is to concentrate on his responsibilities in Abuja and let Governor Fubara lead Rivers State forward. This back-and-forth has nothing to do with personal issues but with the Governor’s determination to end the privatization of state resources,” he stated.
The former commissioner expressed full support for Governor Fubara’s efforts to prioritize the collective good of Rivers State. He emphasized, “The Governor’s agenda to ensure Rivers State resources are used for the collective benefit of its people has our complete backing. It’s time to move past this crisis and focus on progress.”
In conclusion, Tam-George reiterated that Rivers State stands at a critical juncture where the future direction of its governance and resource management must align with the needs and aspirations of its people. He called on all stakeholders to set aside personal interests and prioritize the development and welfare of the state’s citizens.
