Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara says he has endured severe hardship in the ongoing political crisis because he chose not to publicly defend himself.
Speaking at the commissioning of the extended Ahoada–Omoku road, Fubara said many people misunderstood the situation because only one narrative — the “single story” — had been allowed to circulate.
He explained that he has been unable to meet with Speaker Martins Amaewhule and the factional state lawmakers because they insist on attending only meetings arranged by former governor and PDP leader, Nyesom Wike. According to him, he has made several attempts to meet the legislators but refuses to bypass the agreed party leadership structure to avoid deepening division.
Fubara stressed that he has no personal issues with members of the National Assembly or the state Assembly, saying he is fully ready to meet their demands for the sake of peace in Rivers State.
He said:
He made “every effort” to meet the lawmakers, but the meeting has not been fixed by party leaders.
Claims that he has refused to meet them are false.
He has suffered because he avoided publicly defending himself while “a lot of things happened.”
The governor also addressed his defection from the PDP to the APC, saying it was done in the interest of the state and for stability. He credited President Bola Tinubu’s support for helping keep the state afloat and promised to deliver more development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Fubara reaffirmed that Rivers cannot move forward in an atmosphere of disunity and called on political actors to put the state first. He said: “It is not about me. It is about this state.”
