Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, broke his silence on Wednesday amid widespread speculation that he had defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The speculation arose following the exclusion of his supporters by the APC’s screening committee for House of Assembly candidates.
The governor, speaking on Wednesday during an inspection tour of the newly constructed general hospital and the fully remodelled neuropsychiatric hospital in Rumuigbo, Obiakpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, stated that, contrary to erroneous reports in a section of the media in recent days, he remained a member of the ruling party and would continue to work for the party’s overall interests.
“I know that there has been a lot of drama in the media, one story or another.
“I am a member of the All Progressives Congress, and nothing has changed. People should stop using whatever situation they pick up from social media or their interpretation of any situation to present me wrongly.
“I’ve not gone anywhere; I’m still a member of the APC, and I remain a member. Whatever happens, what is important is supporting the overall interest of the party.”
While being shown around the facilities by Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, Director of Medical Services in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the governor expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the two projects, which he said were designed to address critical needs in the state’s health sector.
“This very project, if you could remember, when we came in, we had an issue that required our sudden visit, and it had to do with mental health.
“So when we came here for the inspection of the rehabilitation center that the board was trying to put together, we found out that we had more issues than even the mental health issue.
“We didn’t have a general hospital to serve the people within this area. The closest medical center that they had here was the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, which is very far from here.
“We felt that with the space we have in this compound, it would be proper for us to also have a general hospital situated in this particular facility to take care of the neighboring communities up to Rumuola, Rumuolumeni, and all the surrounding areas.
“Today, to the glory of God, we can see that the project is already completed. It is not 95 percent complete; it is a hundred percent completion,” he added.
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Meanwhile, aspirants seeking an All Progressives Congress ticket for the Rivers State House of Assembly who filed appeals following their screening last weekend are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the appeal.
Meanwhile, the APC assembly screening appeal committee, led by Dr. Abdul Mahmud, wrapped up its two-day meeting on Wednesday evening.
Mahmud, who had pledged that the committee would respond to all petitions until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, praised the candidates for their peaceful demeanor.
The number of petitions received by the committee could not be determined at the time of filing this report.
As of Tuesday, when the panel chairman informed the media, he stated 19 petitions had been received and that it would meet until 5 p.m. on Friday to accept more from other candidates.
When our correspondent visited the APC Secretariat on Aba Road at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, it was still fairly crowded, but the committee had finished its meeting and left.
Chibike Ikenga, the state APC spokesman, was seen driving out of the secretariat and verified that the panel had completed its investigation, saying that it would release its findings in due time.
When reached, Gogo Isaiah, one of the aspirants who filed an appeal, stated that he appeared before the panel with the documentation required.
“So I am waiting for the panel to make its report public,” he stated.
On Tuesday, Mahmud advised candidates not to send him congratulatory texts.
He decried the actions of one of the disqualified candidates, Mr. Tonye Tom-George, whom the APC screening committee accused of attempting to bribe members during the screening process.
In response to the claims made by the screening committee head, Muraina Ajibola, Tom-George requested proof.
However, Mahmud was taken aback when the same contender sent him a message congratulating him on his nomination to the state APC House of Assembly appeal panel.
Answering queries from reporters in Port Harcourt, Mahmud, who observed that he had received similar messages from other hopefuls besides Tom-George, stated that such communications were unnecessary because he was in the state for serious business.
According to Mahmud, such salutations and niceties may leave an impact on a panelist’s mind.
Mahmud stated, “I need to say this, and it has become a malaise in our country.
“You know judges are sitting over matters; litigants will go behind the judges, seek their telephone number, and begin to send text messages, good morning, sir. I hope you slept well.
“Even where, in the face of it, it is not an attempt to influence the judge, you’re putting yourself in the face of the judge.
“And I think we should discourage Nigerians from doing that. I have received communications from appellants who are to appear before me, congratulating me on my appointment.
“I have received a WhatsApp message from him. That is Mr. Tom-George, telling me good morning and congratulations on my appointment. Those things are not necessary.
“I think we should discourage ourselves from some of these things.”
