In a move that has set tongues wagging, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State took to his official X handle to announce the approval of a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, the home turf of former Rivers Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
“JUST IN! Governor Fubara Approves Psychiatric Hospital in Nyesom Wike’s Local Government, Says ‘They Will Need It Soon,’” the Governor wrote in his post, sending social media into a frenzy.
The announcement has drawn attention not just for its focus on mental health infrastructure, but also for its timing and location. Obio-Akpor is the political stronghold of Wike, Fubara’s estranged godfather. The tension between the two political heavyweights has been palpable in recent months, and many view this latest development as a thinly veiled dig at Wike, with Fubara’s statement, “They will need it soon,” adding fuel to the speculation.
The new psychiatric facility, which promises to be a modern addition to the state’s healthcare system, is expected to offer specialized care and address rising mental health concerns in Rivers State. However, the political undertones of the decision have shifted much of the public discourse from the healthcare benefits to the strained relationship between Fubara and Wike.
While the governor’s supporters applaud the initiative as a much-needed intervention in the state’s health sector, critics argue that the location and timing of the project reveal deeper political motives. The decision to place such a facility in Wike’s local government has further highlighted the simmering tension between the former allies.
As Rivers State prepares for the hospital’s groundbreaking, all eyes remain on Fubara and Wike, as this latest development signals that the battle for political supremacy in the state is far from over.
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