Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed frustration over what he described as intense personal suffering caused by the state’s prolonged political upheaval.

According to him, the public has misunderstood his actions because he deliberately refrained from pushing his own version of events into the spotlight.

Speaking on Wednesday, Fubara said the widespread perception that he has been avoiding the state House of Assembly is unfair and inaccurate.

“I am a gentleman and a very principled person. The reason I am saying this here is that I have suffered too much because of a single story,” the governor lamented.

He insisted that he has always been willing to meet with lawmakers but that the public has only heard narratives that portray him otherwise.

‘I Have Made Every Effort to Meet the Assembly’

Fubara stated that contrary to claims making the rounds, he has repeatedly attempted to hold meetings with the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, and other members of the Assembly.

“A lot of things happened and nobody has heard my own side. I want to say it here, Speaker and members of the Assembly, I have made effort to meet with you. I am just waiting for that meeting to be fixed,” he explained.

He clarified that the delay in organizing such meetings is not from him. Instead, he said lawmakers insisted that any engagement must be arranged through former governor and PDP leader, Chief Nyesom Wike.

“I have made every effort. I believe that the leadership of the state council that is led by Ferdinand Anabraba can attest to this,” Fubara said.

“They don’t want me to call them directly. It was for my leader to arrange the meeting, which up till this moment has not been fixed.”

‘Claims That I Am Avoiding Lawmakers Are Lies’

The Governor dismissed reports suggesting he has been unresponsive to legislative demands.

“So, how people go about saying I don’t want to meet them and attend to their demands, that is pure lies. I don’t have any reason to do that,” he stated.

He emphasized that he remains willing to address any concerns presented by lawmakers.

“I have personally said whatever is their need, I am ready to meet it so that we can have peace in the state. Whoever is telling you that I don’t want to meet members of the Assembly is not true,” Fubara reaffirmed.

‘I Won’t Divide the House’

According to Fubara, he has refused to bypass party leaders in arranging meetings because he does not want to heighten tensions within the political structure.

“I have met with our leaders and they said they are going to arrange meeting, but I don’t want to go behind them. Let it not be as if I want to divide the house,” he said, stressing that his focus is the unity and stability of Rivers State.

“Please, we need to come together for the interest of this state. It is not about me. It is about this state,” he added.

Fubara Speaks at Road Commissioning, Reflects on Party Defection

The governor made the remarks at the commissioning of the expanded and dualised Ahoada–Omoku Road in the Rivers West Senatorial District, a project handled by Julius Berger. He described the road as a fulfilment of his campaign promises and thanked residents for standing by him and President Bola Tinubu.

“I want to thank the Almighty God for making this day possible… even in the face of our challenges, we are still focused on delivering the dividends of democracy,” he said.

Fubara also addressed his recent switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC), explaining that the move was motivated by a desire for peace and accelerated development.

“We can’t thrive in an atmosphere of rancour. Development can’t come to our state when there is continuous disunity. And you are also aware that we are standing because of the support of Mr President,” he noted.

According to him, the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda would reach every part of the state.

“Let it be clear to everyone that the renewed hope agenda is here with a vigour that you can’t imagine. We are out, we are ready to drive it to every door… We will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy,” he assured.

‘I Have No Problems With Any Lawmaker’

Fubara ended his remarks by stressing that he holds no grudges against lawmakers at the federal or state level.

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“I do not personally have any disagreement or anger anywhere with my members of the National Assembly, even that of the state,” he said.

“Let me be very clear, I do not have problem with members of the state Assembly here. I don’t have any issue with them.”