Odili declares Fubara political leader of Rivers State

Odili declares Fubara political leader of Rivers State

Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, has pronounced the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as the political leader of the state.

He therefore said the people of the state had mandated him to tell the governor not to look back as they were prepared to support and follow him.

Odili, who was the governor between 1999 and 2007, spoke on Thursday at the inauguration of a healthcare facility in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, which he donated to the state government.

The ex-governor said, “Thanks for standing up to defend the interest of all Rivers people.

“We are proud of you. Politics is over. It is now time for governance. You have hit the ground running.

“Your government is aligning correctly with President Tinubu’s government, especially in the area of education, agriculture and now the health sector.

“Our people said I should tell you to stand with the President and align with his positive policies and link the people of Rivers State with the centre.

“They have asked me to tell you that you are the political leader of Rivers State. Rivers people say where you go, they will go with you.

“Where you stand, they will stand with you. Don’t look back, stay focused, knowing that your people are behind you.”

Odili’s speech came following the strained relationship between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, his successor and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Wike and Fubara are entangled in a struggle for the control of Rivers’ political structure.

The political crisis led to the defection of 27 state House of Assembly members, said to be loyal to Wike, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers are still threatening the governor with impeachment.