Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has sharply criticized former Rivers State Governor, Rufus Ada George, for his tenure, claiming he failed to deliver meaningful development to the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Olayinka challenged Ada George to point out any positive change or achievement from his time in office.
He argued that the only legacy of Ada George’s leadership was the emergence of the “Bush Boys” militant group, which Olayinka suggested was used to settle political scores.
The minister’s spokesperson also questioned Ada George’s relationship with Peter Odili, his former deputy, after Ada George left office in 1993.
Olayinka noted that Ada George had not supported Odili’s gubernatorial campaigns in 1999 and 2003, despite Odili being a significant figure in the state.
Olayinka went on to criticize Ada George for his continued support of the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during what he described as a “lawless period.”
He accused Ada George of failing to speak out against Fubara’s actions, which included running a House of Assembly with just three members instead of the full 32 and withholding salaries and benefits from lawmakers.
“Instead of holding Fubara accountable, Ada George stood by him while fellow Rivers citizens suffered,” Olayinka remarked. “Ada George never condemned the illegal actions of Fubara’s regime, and now, in his old age, he criticizes others for taking action.”
Olayinka further criticized Ada George for publicly blaming the current FCT minister for the political crisis in Rivers, including the imposition of a state of emergency and the appointment of sole administrators in local government areas.
“Today, at nearly 85, Ada George, who backed Fubara during his illegal tenure, now accuses others of wrongdoings,” Olayinka said. “Didn’t he also label President Bola Tinubu a ‘meddlesome interloper’ for helping to resolve the crisis in the state?”