Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied sidelining members of the State House of Assembly since his return to office. The governor said, in response to insinuations that he had shut the doors against some stakeholders in the state, especially the Elders Forum in the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that his doors are open, restating his commitment to peace, stability, and development in the state.

Fubara stated this at Ahoda West, where he commissioned the extension of the Ahoda–Omoku Road. The governor stated that his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu was in the best interest of the state and not for personal political gain.

He told supporters that, contrary to circulating claims, he had made “every effort” to meet with state lawmakers but was waiting for the leadership of the party to convene the agreed meeting.

He said: “There is this insinuation going around. Yes, I went to see the President a few days ago, but it was purely for state interest. I have no disagreement with members of the National Assembly or with our state lawmakers.

“I have made every effort to meet with them. The leadership of the party, led by Ferdinand Anababra, can attest to this. The arrangement was not for me to call them directly. It was agreed that the minister, our leader, would arrange the meeting. Up till this hour, that meeting has not been fixed.” He described rumours suggesting that he had refused to meet the lawmakers or attend to their concerns as “a pure lie.”

“I have no reason to shut the door against anyone,” he said. “Whatever their needs are, I am willing to address them so that we can sustain peace in Rivers State. Please, whoever is saying that I refused to meet the members of the State Assembly is not telling the truth.”

We need to come together. This is not about me; it is about our state.” The governor, who said he had suffered “so much from single stories,” added that he owed it to the public to present his own side whenever misinformation spreads.

He thanked the people of Ahoada, Ogba, Ekpeye, and other communities at the event, assuring them that his administration would not take their support for granted.

“We are now out with our boots, our hats and our gloves. We are ready to move into every community to preach, without limitation, the gospel of development,” he said.

On the road project, the governor reminded the audience that the Ahoda–Omoku extension was a campaign promise he made while seeking their support.

“This project was a promise we made when we came here during the campaigns,” he said. “My predecessor, the immediate past governor, Nyesom Wike, commissioned the first phase. We told you that if you supported us, we would extend the road to Omoku. Today, that promise has been fulfilled.”