Former Rivers Commissioner Accuses Wike of Orchestrating State Chaos
posted 18th March 2025
Former Rivers Commissioner Accuses Wike of Orchestrating State Chaos
Port Harcourt, 18 March 2025 – Dr Austin Tam-George, a former Commissioner for Information under Nyesom Wike’s tenure as Governor of Rivers State, has launched a scathing attack on the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, accusing him of being the mastermind behind the ongoing turmoil in Rivers State. Speaking candidly, Dr Tam-George claimed that Wike’s “high propensity for violence” and neglect of critical sectors like education and health were the driving forces behind his resignation from the administration.
Dr Tam-George, an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School, did not mince words in his condemnation. “I served as Commissioner for Information in Wike’s administration, and I am deeply disappointed in what he is doing,” he said. “He has set forth a process to destabilise Rivers State, and it’s clear he represents a textbook case of state capture.” He argued that Wike’s governance style prioritised political control over the welfare of the state’s citizens, a stance he found untenable, ultimately leading to his departure from the cabinet.
The former commissioner painted a grim picture of Wike’s time as governor, alleging that education and health sectors were sidelined. “Wike neglected the very foundations that hold a society together—education and health,” Dr Tam-George asserted. “That’s why I could no longer remain part of his government. His actions were not in the interest of Rivers people.”
Turning his attention to the broader political landscape, Dr Tam-George criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the Rivers crisis, accusing him of partiality. He pointed to Tinubu’s recent broadcast addressing the unrest, noting that the President failed to mention Wike by name despite the latter’s widely speculated involvement. “Tinubu’s silence on Wike is telling,” he said. “It suggests an interest in protecting him, perhaps because of the political calculations for 2027, especially now that the North appears to be turning against the President.”
Dr Tam-George described Wike as “implacable,” warning that his unrelenting nature could further escalate tensions in the oil-rich state. “Wike is not someone who can be easily reasoned with,” he cautioned. “His actions are tearing Rivers apart, and the federal government’s apparent bias isn’t helping.”
The remarks come amid heightened unrest in Rivers State, with reports of arson and violence linked to political factions. Dr Tam-George’s outspoken critique has reignited debates about Wike’s legacy as governor and his current influence as a key figure in Tinubu’s administration. As the 2027 elections loom, the former commissioner’s allegations of political manoeuvring at the highest levels are likely to fuel further controversy.
