A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and erstwhile coordinator, Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Desmond Akawor, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of deliberately stalling development in the Oyigbo Local Government Area, describing the council as stagnant under the current administration.

Mr Akawor, an erstwhile Ambassador to South Korea, stated this during a “thank you” visit to the LGA by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike on Monday. 

He alleged that despite Oyigbo’s strategic importance and contribution to the state’s economy, the area had been neglected in terms of infrastructure, social amenities, and government since Mr Fubara assumed office. 

Mr Akawor noted that the people of the area elected Mr Fubara with the belief that he would continue from where Mr Wike stopped in developing the area.

Rather, the APC chieftain complained that the LGA had not moved an inch since Mr Wike left as governor of the state in 2023, stressing that the only tangible benefit Oyigbo has is a commissioner’s slot. 

“Permit me to speak frankly. If these things are not said now, they may never be said. We elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara with the expectation that Oyigbo would benefit meaningfully from development.

“Your Excellency, development in Oyigbo has stalled. We have not moved an inch forward. The only tangible benefit Oyigbo has received is a commissioner’s slot, which was given to me. Beyond that, nothing substantial has come to our people,” Mr Akawor said at the event. 

Raising concerns over the N600 billion in the River State treasury, he warned that Oyigbo LGA must not be excluded in the utilisation of the funds.

Mr Akawor also demanded that If N40 billion was allocated across groups, Oyigbo must not be shortchanged. 

“We are not asking for favours; we are asking for fairness. Some people who do not contribute or support the process cannot continue to dominate the benefits. That cannot be allowed.

“All Oyigbo stakeholders present here have spoken with one voice. The few aides with him already know our position,” he added. 

Mr Akawor, however, lauded Mr Wike for liberating Oyigbo from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He added that without the minister’s intervention, the communities would have remained under lockdown every Monday.