Fubara defection aims to ensure stability, development in Rivers — Ex-commissioner

A former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austin Tam-George, has said Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress is aimed at ensuring stability and accelerating development in the state.

Speaking in an interview with Arises News on Saturday, Tam-George said the governor’s decision aligns with his governance doctrine, which prioritises the people’s interests.

“You know, Governor Fubara has a governance doctrine in Rivers State around the notion of putting the people’s interests first. In fact, the governance doctrine is called reverse first.

“So my thinking is that what he’s doing by moving from the PDP to the APC is to align more perfectly with the federal authorities to make sure that what is due to the reverse support comes to them,” he said.

Tam-George added that Fubara also seeks critical stability in the state after a turbulent period in office.

“Because over the past two years or so, Governor Fubara had had a very turbulent time in government. And so what I think he’s done is to say, look, this is not about me.

“This is about making sure we have stability, because only in the atmosphere of peace and stability can you expect that he is going to be able to deliver on the promise that he made to the reverse people,” he said.

The former commissioner said the governor is committed to sector-by-sector development, including education and healthcare.

“He has made a commitment that beginning from next year, for instance, he’s going to make sure that there is a very strong emphasis on budgetary allocation to education.

“He is also making sure that all the zonal hospitals in Rivers State, including about 124 primary health care centres, deliver a premium health care delivery system for the residents. You can’t achieve these things in an atmosphere of turbulence,” Tam-George said.

He further noted that the move positions Fubara as a key partner in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, while fostering cooperation with the state assembly.

“So if you look at these calibrations, the governor is actually looking towards delivering service to the people in the context of peace, cooperation with all stakeholders, especially the members of the state assembly.

“About 16 or 17 of them already moved to the APC. I imagine that will mean they will now more properly align with the governor’s vision and make sure that whatever remaining issues they have can be resolved within the context of cooperation,” he said.

Online reports that Governor Fubara described his defection as a “spiritual assignment,” aimed at aligning Rivers State’s political trajectory with that of President Tinubu.

We cannot pursue a different direction when the President is pursuing another. Joining the APC is part of our commitment to ensure a seamless working relationship and to contribute meaningfully to his re-election efforts in the state,” Fubara said.

He added that aligning with the federal government would help unlock development opportunities and secure the future of Rivers State.

culled from punch