Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, announced that his administration has begun the process of preparing the 2025 budget, with a strong emphasis on education, healthcare, and agriculture. The governor also asserted that the seats of Martin Amaewhule and other state lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) remain vacant.
Fubara made these statements while receiving a solidarity visit from opinion leaders, women, and youths of Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas, led by Ogbakor Etche, at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi.
The governor emphasized that the defected lawmakers would eventually return because they voluntarily left the platform on which they were elected. He urged them to wake up and recognize that the state’s governance continues smoothly.
Fubara elaborated on the priorities of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, stating, “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.”
He dismissed concerns about the defected lawmakers, stating, “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.”
Fubara recounted his personal support for the defected lawmakers, including paying their children’s school fees and house rent, and expressed disappointment in their defection. He added, “We all knew what happened when they crossed (defected), and how did they cross? Because of our God, for them to make that mistake, they crossed! They are gone, and they are gone.”
The governor outlined the three priority areas of the 2025 budget: education, healthcare, and agriculture, explaining their importance to the state’s development. “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,” he said.
Fubara also highlighted the role of agriculture in addressing unemployment and reducing crime by engaging the youth in productive activities.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to not fighting anyone and showing appreciation to those who have contributed to his success. However, he clarified that loyalty does not mean losing one’s liberty and discretion, stating that he will not be a governor forced to compromise his principles.
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