𝗢𝗽𝗼𝗯𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗢𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻

By NigerDelta Voice,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

Residents and stakeholders in Opobo Kingdom, Rivers State, have expressed concern over what they describe as the absence of significant government projects in the community more than three years after Governor Siminalayi Fubara assumed office.

The concerns centre on what community members say is the continued lack of basic infrastructure, including electricity from the national grid, deteriorating public facilities, poor road infrastructure, worsening coastal erosion, and the absence of major state government projects in the governor's hometown.

Some residents said they had expected Governor Fubara's emergence as Rivers State governor to usher in accelerated development for Opobo, the historic kingdom founded by King Jaja of Opobo. However, they alleged that the most visible construction associated with the governor in the community is his private residence.

The criticisms have intensified following Governor Fubara's recent political alliance with the Rainbow Coalition, a platform comprising members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Community sources said some youths are considering staging a peaceful protest during the final installation ceremonies of the Amanyanabo-elect and Treaty King of Opobo, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja (Jeki VI), scheduled for September 26, 2026. The week-long coronation activities are expected to attract prominent political leaders, diplomats and business executives from across Nigeria.

Electricity remains one of the major grievances raised by residents, who lamented that Opobo has yet to be connected to the national grid despite producing the state's governor. They described the situation as disappointing and called for urgent government intervention.

Residents also expressed concern over the condition of Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Opobo, an institution attended by Governor Fubara. According to them, many of the school's facilities have deteriorated despite repeated appeals for rehabilitation.

Other demands by community members include shoreline protection and erosion control projects, improved road infrastructure, economic empowerment programmes for traders and small business owners, as well as scholarship opportunities for students pursuing higher education.

A former chairman of the Labour Party in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Tamunokuro Opusunju, criticised what he described as the absence of visible government projects in the kingdom.

According to him, Opobo residents had expected the governor's administration to attract transformational projects capable of improving the welfare of the people.

"How can a governor spend four years in office without delivering a major government project that his hometown can identify as a lasting legacy?" he asked, adding that the administration still has an opportunity to address the community's developmental needs before the expiration of its tenure.

Some community members also alleged that individuals who publicly criticised the administration had received threatening phone calls, although these claims have not been independently verified.

As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations.

With less than a year remaining in Governor Fubara's tenure, many residents say they hope the administration will prioritise critical infrastructure and development projects in Opobo before leaving office.