Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has advised politicians to shift focus from private interests to promoting the welfare and development of the people.
Fubara made the statement on Tuesday during the Okocha Road inauguration in Rumuolumeni, Obio Akpor LGA, the hometown of former governor of the state and Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike. He also served as chairman of the LGA from 1999-2007.
Recall that Fubara and Wike have been embroiled in a conflict over control of the political structure in Rivers State.
He said, “My advice is: politics is not all about who is supporting you or who is against you. Politics should also include attending to the needs of the people. At this particular time, if I was an evil person, I would say, ‘I wouldn’t come here,’ considering the nature and the location of this place.
“But, because it is our duty in government to provide services and protect lives and property, we have to come to make sure that our people here are happy. It is not about me. It is about the government. Government should be caring. The purpose of government is to put smiles on the faces of our people.
“We needed to do everything to make sure that we were very comfortable in my own election. The people of this community are majorly visitors, and this community has a very big voting strength.
“Our supporters, at that time, approached them, spoke to them, and they saw reasons to support us in our election. So, what I am doing here today is to say ‘thank you’ for believing in us. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for also standing by us. The little we can do is to make your lives better.
This road is very significant to us because it removes tears from the faces of the people living here. It was a terrible road. The living condition here was unimaginable, but to the glory of God today, those things are now history. You can see joy on the faces of the people here. Moreover, the residents who are majorly non-indigenes are also happy.”
