A former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, has assured Governor Siminalayi Fubara, that he is the political leader of the state.
Odili disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre in Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of the state.
The former governor told Fubara that he was speaking on behalf of the Rivers’ people who have declared their support for him.
Odili’s statement came as a backing for the governor as the political tussle with his godfather, the immediate past governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has continued.
In October 2023, Fubara escaped an impeachment attempt by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike.
Both have been engaging in a fierce political battle to gain the run the affairs of the state.
Early this year, President Bola Tinubu offered political solution to resolve the conflicts, but both of them have not been in good terms still.
Meanwhile, Odili, in what appeared as a veiled support for Fubara, assured him that the people would go any length with him, amid his lingering crisis with Wike.
Odili said, “Our people said I should tell you to stand firm with the President, align with his quality policies and carry Rivers people to the engine room of government in the Federal Republic in Abuja.
“For those who have not bothered to pay attention, if you look at the map of Nigeria, the entire map of Nigeria is sitting on Rivers State.
“When Rivers State coughs, Nigeria will catch a cold. So regard your office as key and vital. Don’t look back. It is not a matter of age. It is a matter of your people being with you.
“And 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.
“You are standing on firm ground. Stand there, hold onto God; the rest of the journey will be a piece of cake.“ (Vanguard)