Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has approved the construction of a modern psychiatric hospital in Obio-Akpor local government area where the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike hails from.
The decision came amid rising tensions between the two political figures. Wike, who is also Fubara’s estranged political godfather is from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor local government area.
Wike has recently accused Governor Fubara of abandoning those who helped him to ascend to power, including himself.
Speaking at a reception organised by the Ijaw Peoples Assembly in Port Harcourt on Saturday, the FCT Minister hinted at political retaliation, warning Fubara and his allies that he would “teach them a big lesson” in the future.
“Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating APP. It is not about money. Money does not move. You can have all the money but if there is no capacity, there is no capacity. All the things you see are people envious of our growth.
“We have defeated them severally, and if opportunity comes again, we will defeat them. We have not started politics, when the time comes, we will play politics. Our job is politics. Tell them to keep their party ready. We will teach them what is called politics,” Wike said.
In response, Governor Fubara, during an inter-denominational church thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Port Harcourt on Sunday, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, defended his administration’s achievements, claiming that his one-year performance surpassed what his predecessors, including Wike, achieved in eight years.
“They even say, they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them, it is Fubara that signed the paper to borrow from Zenith Bank the N200 billion for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project,” Fubara stated.
He continued, “It is Fubara that awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t do. They did only a bridge from Krakrama, but I am the one doing it; the complete span, and it is N225 billion. I didn’t borrow.”
Touching on the psychiatric hospital, Fubara added, “It is this same Fubara that is building a General Hospital, which I also included a Psychiatric Hospital because they will need it very soon. So, tell them that what I did in one year is what they did in eight years.”
The governor also criticised his political opponents, describing them as “empty containers” making noise without substance. “If God has given you opportunity, eat your plantain and keep quiet. God will continue to give us the strength to do the best for our people, without fear.”
Fubara assured that his projects were for the benefit of the people of Rivers State and not for personal business interests. “Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the people of Rivers State. We will not take any decision that we cannot defend. We won’t be part of anything that will bring any form of disgrace to our dear State.”
He concluded by urging his supporters to protect the opportunities God had given them, stating, “They are the ones looking for a way to destroy it.”
