Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday, mocked the 26 House of Assembly members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said they can never return to the Assembly as their seats were vacant despite a court order for them to be reinstated.
Fubara who spoke during a solidarity visit by opinion leaders, women, and youths of Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas led by Ogbakor Etche at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, urged the former lawmakers who are loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, “to wake up from their slumber to see the ship of governance in the state sailing on smoothly.”
While addressing the gathering, Fubara stated categorically that the seats of the former Speaker of the 10th Assembly of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule and the other lawmakers remains vacant.
He also dismissed what he termed as ranting and noise-making from delusional folks, insisting that his administration has started preparing details of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, with priority placed on education, healthcare and agriculture.
“Let me assure you that agriculture is an area that we have promised the very special and peace-loving people of Rivers State that our 2025 budget, which we have already started preparing, will address.
“Don’t bother about those people who are delusional. They think we are still sleeping. Let me tell you people so that they can hear anywhere they are.
“We all know how they crossed to join APC. And how did they cross? Because of our God. For them to make that mistake, they are gone, and they are gone.
”I wanted to help them, sincerely because I know them. And I have said it before, these are people that I have helped. I paid their children’s school fees. I paid their house rent. So, I wanted to help them.
“We all knew what happened when they defected. Now, let me tell you: when I wanted to help them, I accepted to help them because we are all one. We disagree to agree as it is said. They thought they were smart.
“What is holding them back is the declaration of their seat vacant, which was done in December 2023.
“For me, I have started preparing my budget for 2025, which I am going to present very soon.
“Don’t allow anybody to deceive you. They can come to the media and dance. When they go behind, they cry. It is the truth.”
Speaking further, Fubara also promised to prioritize the provision of quality healthcare and education for the citizens.
“Our children need to go to quality schools. Even if they can’t go to private schools, let them go to the public ones that have standards. We need to go to good health facilities owned by the government and get standard healthcare services.
“Even if we cannot afford those private hospitals, when you go to the public ones, you can get the same services with qualified professionals. That is our thinking.
“And when we get to the issue of agriculture, it will address the issue of unemployment. When we start engaging our youths, they won’t have time to be involved in crime. So, our thinking is to secure and protect our State,” he said.
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