Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, says he has endured significant personal and political hardship amid the ongoing crisis in the state, insisting that he has been unfairly judged because only one side of the story has been publicised.
Speaking during a meeting with stakeholders, Fubara said he had never declined to meet with members of the state House of Assembly, contrary to widespread claims.
“I am a gentleman and a very principled person. I have suffered too much because of a single story,” the governor said. “A lot has happened, and nobody has heard my own side.”
Fubara explained that he had made repeated efforts to meet with Speaker Martins Amaewhule and other lawmakers, but the meeting could not hold because he was told the arrangements must come from the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Nyesom Wike.
“I have made every effort. The leadership of the state council, led by Ferdinand Anabraba, can attest to this,” he said. “They don’t want me to call them directly. I was told my leader will arrange the meeting, and up till now, that meeting has not been fixed.”
The governor dismissed claims that he had been avoiding the Assembly.
“How people go about saying I don’t want to meet them and attend to their demands is a pure lie. I have no reason to do that,” he stated, adding that he remains ready to address any issues raised by the lawmakers.
Fubara said the reason he had not bypassed party leaders to initiate the meeting himself was to avoid creating further division.
“I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying to divide the house,” he said. “It’s not about me — it’s about Rivers State.”
The governor again appealed for unity, stressing the need for all parties to work together for the stability and progress of the state.
“Please, we need to come together for the interest of this state,” Fubara said. “Whoever is telling you I don’t want to meet members of the Assembly is not telling the truth.”