By Daniel Abia, P/Harcourt
Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday broke his silence over widespread speculations that he had defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the ongoing realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Fubara made the clarification during an inspection tour of the newly constructed General Hospital and the fully remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital in the state.
Fubara said that contrary to reports in a section of the media in the last few days, suggesting that he had joined another political platform, he remained a member of the ruling party and will continue to work for the overall interest of the APC.
“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 (APC), and nothing has changed. People should stop using whatever situation that they pick up from social media or their own 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”, he said.
Last week when his brother, Mr Blessing Fubara, defected to the NDC, many speculated that it would not be long before the governor would defect from the APC and join his sibling in the new party with all his supporters, especially the state House of Assembly aspirants who were alleged to have been denied screening by the APC committee.
Governor Fubara was conducted round the facilities by the Director of Medical Services in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, who led him through the hospital wards, a conference hall, the ICT centre, students’ hostel, staff quarters, and other critical sections.
He expressed delight at the completion of the two projects which, according to him, were conceived to address critical needs in the health sector in the state. He recalled that while the rehabilitation of the psychiatric hospital became necessary at some point, the administration also discovered that the area had no general hospital to take care of the basic health needs of the people.
“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 centre 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 centre that they had here was the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), which is very far from here. We felt that with the space we have in this compound, it will be proper for us to also have a general hospital situated in this particular facility to take care of the neighbouring 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 per cent complete; it is a hundred per cent completed.
“We’re happy because it is a promise made and a promise fulfilled. Like I’ll always say, what is important is doing what will touch the lives of our people. Our people should be first, and that is how important this project is for us in this administration,” he said.
Article 2027: Fubara reaffirms loyalty to APC, dismisses defection rumours Live On NgGossips.
