Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed insinuations that he has refused to engage members of the State House of Assembly amid his return to office after the lingering political tension.
The governor stated, contrary to rumours that he shut the doors against some stakeholders in the state, particularly the elders’ forum in the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that his doors are open. He reiterated his commitment to peace, stability, and development in the state.
Fubara stated this at Ahoda West, where he commissioned the extension of the Ahoda–Omoku Road.
The governor said his recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in the interest of the state and not for personal political gains.
He told supporters that contrary to circulating claims, he had made “every effort” to meet with state lawmakers but was waiting for the leadership of the party to convene the agreed meeting.
“There is this insinuation going around,” he said. “Yes, I went to see Mr. President a few days ago, but it was purely for state interest. I have no disagreement with members of the National Assembly or with our state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with them. The leadership of the party, led by Chief Ferdinand Anababra, can attest to this. The arrangement was not for me to call them directly. It was agreed that the Minister, our leader, would arrange the meeting. Up till this hour, that meeting has not been fixed.”
He described rumours suggesting that he had refused to meet the lawmakers or attend to their concerns as “a pure lie.”
“I have no reason to shut the door against anyone,” he said. “Whatever their needs are, I am willing to address them so that we can sustain peace in Rivers State. Please, whoever is saying that I refused to meet the members of the State Assembly is not telling the truth. We need to come together. This is not about me; it is about our state.”
The governor, who said he had suffered “so much from single stories,” added that he owed it to the public to present his own side whenever misinformation spreads.
He thanked the people of Ahoada, Ogba, Ekpeye, and other communities present at the event, assuring them that his administration would not take their support for granted.
“We are now out with our boots, our hats and our gloves. We are ready to move into every community to preach, without limitation, the gospel of development,” he said.
On the road project, the governor reminded the audience that the Ahoda–Omoku extension was a campaign promise he made while seeking their support.
“This project was a promise we made when we came here during the campaigns,” he said. “My predecessor, the immediate past governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, commissioned the first phase. We told you that if you supported us, we would extend the road to Omoku. Today, that promise has been fulfilled.”
He added that the road would boost economic activity and help eliminate the insecurity previously reported along the route.
