Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday vehemently dismissed reports of a political fallout with members of the National and State Assemblies, labeling suggestions of strained relations as “pure lies.”
Speaking during the commissioning of the extended and dualised 28.4-kilometre Ahoada–Omoku Road, the Governor’s remarks came just one day after he formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing widespread rumours that he had deliberately snubbed or avoided meetings with legislators, Governor Fubara insisted he had made “every effort” to convene dialogue. However, he stressed that the responsibility for arranging such a crucial meeting rested elsewhere.
“I personally do not have any disagreements or any anger anywhere with my members of the National Assembly, even of the state,” Fubara said. “The arrangement wasn’t for me to call them directly. It was for my leader, the minister, to arrange the meeting, which up to this hour has not been fixed.”
The “leader” referred to is widely understood to be his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who remains a central figure in the state’s political dynamics.
Fubara strongly rejected claims that he had rejected legislative proposals or refused engagement, stating that such claims were “a pure lie.” He explained that he refrained from contacting the lawmakers independently to avoid creating the impression that he was “trying to divide the house,” maintaining that he operates as “a gentleman and a very principled person.”
“I have suffered so much because of a single story. A lot of times, things have happened, and nobody has heard my own side,” he noted, appealing to the Speaker and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to disregard insinuations of hostility and reiterating his readiness to meet their needs “so that we can have peace in the state.”
Following his defection, the Governor declared his full allegiance to the ruling federal party, urging the people of Rivers to maintain unity and fully support President Bola Tinubu.
“We are now out… ready to move everywhere to preach without any limitation the gospel of Asiwaju in Rivers State,” Fubara announced. He concluded by warning against internal instability, emphasizing, “We cannot develop any part of this state when there is a crisis. Let us continue to take the path of peace.”
The Ahoada–Omoku Road commissioning served as a focal point for the Governor to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to development, noting the road will ease movement, boost commerce, and strengthen socio-economic well-being.
