Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed claims of friction between his administration and lawmakers of the state, describing such reports as falsehoods aimed at creating disunity.
Fubara addressed the issue on Wednesday, December 10, during the inauguration of the expanded and dualised 28.4-kilometre Ahoada–Omoku Road.
The event came just a day after his formal defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor denied suggestions that he has ignored legislators or failed to respond to their demands, saying he has made every effort to maintain smooth communication.
He explained that the responsibility for arranging a meeting between both sides lies with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and other senior party figures.
“I personally do not have any disagreements or any anger anywhere with my members of the National Assembly, even of the state,” Fubara stated.
“I have made every effort… 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,” he added.
He emphasised that the rumours of animosity were unfounded, saying, “When people go about saying I don’t want to meet them… that is a pure lie. I don’t have any reason to do that.”
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Fubara explained that he deliberately avoided reaching out directly to lawmakers so that his actions would not be misinterpreted.
“I’m 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 explained.
Appealing to Speaker Martins Amaewhule and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, he urged them to disregard false narratives and work with him to preserve the peace and progress of the state.
The governor also thanked Rivers residents for their trust, pledging that his administration would continue to focus on development and stability.
He called for unity among citizens and reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“We are now out… ready to move everywhere to preach without any limitation the gospel of Asiwaju in Rivers State. We cannot develop any part of this state when there is a crisis. Let us continue to take the path of peace,” he said.
Fubara further highlighted that the newly completed Ahoada–Omoku Road will improve transportation, stimulate trade, and enhance the socio-economic life of local communities, adding that similar projects are planned across the state.