The Rivers Ijaw Development Forum (RIDF) has accused the former governor of Rivers State, Rufus Ada-George-led elders, for seeking to prolong the political crisis in the State for their personal gain.

In a statement signed by the forum’s convener, Tombra Ajagidi, in Port Harcourt, the group condemned the Rivers elders and leaders for calling on the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to renege on his commitments to peace.

The statement read : “Our attention has been drawn to the letter dated 26^thDecember, 2023, titled ‘Peace in Galilee’ and addressed to His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, by a group of Rivers Elders led by Rufus Ada George, urging the governor to renege on his commitments to peace as enshrined in his Christmas broadcast to the people of Rivers State.

“We consider the letter rather unfortunate, ill- conceived and totally disrespectful to our governor who, only the day before, had assured Rivers people of his decision to de-emphasise the crisis, embrace peace and focus on his mandate to improve the welfare of Rivers people.

The statement went on to accuse Ada-George of ignoring the effort to produce an Ijaw governor in Siminalayi Fubara as governor, but turning around to hurriedly form a group to fan the embers of conflict.

RIDF continued: “From all indications, it is now obvious to all that the main aim of this Ada-George -led elders, who must have been hurriedly assembled, is to exploit the Rivers crisis for their selfish interests. Otherwise, how else can one describe such elders who are only out to escalate and prolong the crisis when the governor himself has committed himself to peace for good governance of the State.

“It is a well-known fact that Rufus Ada-George and his co- elders did not support the governor and were nowhere to be found when they were most needed while others laboured to produce an Ijaw governor to the glory of God. Is it not shameful that they are now grandstanding, mischievously pretending to support the governor when, in fact, they want to reap where they did not sow?

“We wish to advise Rufus Ada-George and his co-travellers to respect themselves and refrain from further fuelling the crisis in Rivers State by creating unnecessary distractions and allow our young, amiable governor, who they did not support during the elections, to govern Rivers State in an atmosphere of peace.” (Daily Sun)