Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, says he has no personal disagreement with members of the National Assembly from the state or with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The governor said he had made several efforts to meet with the lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, to resolve any outstanding issues, but without success.
Fubara explained that he had already met with elders of the state as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who promised to arrange the meeting. He, however, lamented that the promised parley had yet to take place.
The governor stated this on Wednesday during the inauguration of the dualised extension of the Ahoada–Omoku Road, noting that he remained ready to meet the lawmakers’ demands to ensure peace in the state.
Fubara said he had been patiently waiting for those who pledged to facilitate the meeting to do so.
He described reports that he had refused to meet with the lawmakers as false, insisting that he had no personal issues with them but was simply waiting for the agreed process to be followed.
He said, “I personally do not have any disagreement or any anger anywhere with my members in the National Assembly; even that of the state here.
Let me be very particular: the state members of the House of Assembly. I do not have any issue with any of them.
I have made every effort. I believe the leadership of the State Elders’ Council, headed by Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, can attest to this. I have made every effort to meet with them, but the arrangement wasn’t for me to call them directly.
“It was for my leader, the minister, to arrange the meeting, which up till this hour has not been fixed. So, when people go about saying I don’t want to meet them, I don’t want to attend to them, I don’t want to meet their demands — that is a pure lie.”
Fubara stressed that he was willing to meet any conditions necessary to restore peace in the state.
“I have no reason not to meet them. I personally said whatever they need, I’m ready to meet it so we can have peace in the state. This is live television — whoever tells you that I don’t want to meet the members of the State Assembly is not telling the truth.
“I have met with our leaders and they said they were going to arrange a meeting. I don’t want to go behind them because if I do, it will look as if I’m trying to divide the house. I’m a gentleman and a very principled person. And that is why I’m saying this here.”
The governor said he had suffered greatly from what he called a “single story,” claiming that his side of events was often unheard.
He added, “Please, Mr Speaker, leadership of the House and other members, I have made every effort to meet with you. I’m just waiting for that meeting to be fixed. The understanding we have is that they are going to arrange it. Whoever is saying I refused to meet you, or that there was an arrangement presented to me which I rejected, is not saying the truth. We need to come together for the interest of this state. It’s about this state.”
Addressing his supporters, Fubara said his defection to the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday was not for personal gain but for the good of Rivers State. He said meaningful development could not occur in an atmosphere of rancour and disunity.
He said, “My supporters, I know your ears are eager to hear one thing. Many of you are wondering. The reason why we took this decision is not personal or to fulfil my ambition but to see that our state succeeds. We cannot thrive in an atmosphere of rancour. Development cannot come when there is continuous disunity. You are also aware that we are still standing because of the support of Mr President.”
