Dr. Sampson Parker, former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, has opened up on former Governor Rotimi Amaechi's alleged mental health issues.      

READ: Amaechi Has Mental Health Issues - Wike Speaks

According to DAILY POST, Parker denied ever treating Amaechi for mental health issues. A statement issued by him read, “On May 29, 2015, my service as the Rivers State Commissioner for Health came to an end after 8 years. I was one of the longest serving Commissioners in the Amaechi administration.

“As I was leaving the office of Commissioner, I also retired from the Rivers State Ministry of Health as a civil servant. Just a little diversion: Due to policies we initiated in the Ministry, most of my contemporaries were earning more than I did as Commissioner for Health. I may not have been assigned to any medical facility but I still practiced medicine even while serving as Commissioner for Health.

“While it would have made sense, at least financially, for me to remain as a staff of Ministry of Health, I chose to leave. I left for the main reason that I wanted to take a break from politics. I knew that my continued stay in the RSMOH would open me up to being used as a political fodder for and against Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. In that atmosphere, it would have been impossible for me to work as a civil servant.

“At the age of 48, with children in school, I had no job. Ironically, I have worked in one form or another since the age of 10. So here I was with no employment; mouths to feed, rent to pay, and other obligations to fulfil. I decided to devote my time to performing my obligations as a husband, father and son.

“It has not been easy to stay focused on my new life as there have been numerous temptations to jump into the political fray, especially in Rivers State.

“However, I have decided to speak now because my name is being used in the social and electronic media for inordinate political purposes.

“Rumours, half-truths, innuendos, silly allegations and outright lies are being elevated to the level of facts. I don’t know how we arrived at this juncture in the politics of Rivers State, where nothing is sacred; everything and everyone can be sacrificed just to score cheap political points.

“My fear is that Rivers people and indeed Nigerians may confuse or accept these wicked rumours and lies as truth.

“No medical doctor would discuss his patient with anyone not involved in the treatment of that patient let alone discuss such patient publicly.

“People have assigned patients to me, diagnosed them and passed off their diagnosis as mine. This is akin to shaving ones head in that person’s absence.

“I have heard things purportedly done and said by me from people who are not even close friends or relatives. In the past I dismissed these as the handiwork of jobless people who want to amuse themselves at my expense. I saw it as part of the sacrifices one makes for public service.

“These unfounded rumours are now being touted at campaign grounds and even radio stations in Rivers State. It is time to speak!

“Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was not my patient at the Psychiatric Hospital when I worked there. I have never diagnosed or treated him as a psychiatric patient. I am not aware he has any psychiatric or mental health issues.

“The first time I heard this silly rumour was from Gov. Amaechi just before we left office. I saw the allegation as a joke. I was amused and did not take it seriously since we both know the truth. He knows I have never made any diagnosis of mental illness concerning him and I thought my energies were better applied to looking for daily bread for me and my family.

“Now that rumours are being repeated as facts even by people I held in high esteem, I have chosen to address it for the first and last time. Again, I state that I am not aware of any episode of mental ill-health over the 15 years of working closely with him as a friend and later as his Commissioner for Health.

“People should get on with their lives as I concentrate on mine. There are many issues to use for political brickbats, not unfounded diagnosis by people who are not even qualified to call themselves voodoo doctors.

“I will end by repeating what I have said more times than I can remember: Power belongs to God. He gives to whom it pleases Him to give for the period.”