Lere Olayinka, the media aide to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has harshly criticized former Rivers State Governor Rufus Ada George, accusing him of introducing violence and ethnic politics to the state.
Olayinka challenged Ada George to identify any meaningful development or positive legacy he left in Rivers State, aside from allegedly fostering violence and division.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Olayinka asserted that Ada George’s only significant impact was his alleged creation of the “Bush Boys” militant group, which he purportedly used to settle political scores.
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Olayinka referenced the 2008 Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which reportedly documented Ada George’s involvement in the violent 2001 crisis. He also highlighted Ada George’s inability to resolve longstanding conflicts, such as the Okrika chieftaincy crisis, which persisted until Wike’s tenure.
Olayinka further criticized Ada George for his actions during the 1993 Ogoni protests, accusing him of siding with Shell instead of supporting the Ogoni people in their fight against exploitation.
He also claimed Ada George enabled political lawlessness during the tenure of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, pointing out his silence on illegal practices in the state’s House of Assembly.
Olayinka then addressed Ada George’s recent comments accusing Wike of orchestrating political instability in Rivers State, questioning his credibility as a senior figure. He concluded by urging Ada George, now in his late 80s, to act with more dignity and stop making inflammatory statements.
“At old age, people should begin to desist from acting shamelessly. After leaving office as Governor in 1993, what happened to his relationship with Dr Peter Odili, who was his deputy? Why did he not support Odili for governor in 1999 and 2003? Why was he in All People’s Party (APP) while Odili was in People’s Democratic Party (PDP)?
“Records of his involvement in the activities of the Bush Boys are well documented in the report of the 2008 Justice Kayode Eso led Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which heard accusations that he (Ada George) sponsored the Bush Boys in the September 2001 violence.”
