In a surprising twist of events in Rivers State politics, former Governor Peter Odili has thrown his full weight behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara declaring him as the political leader of the state, while also showering praises on him for defending the interests of the people.
Odili, who was the Governor of the state between 1999 and 2007, pointed out that Fubara, having secured his electoral victory both through the ballot and the courts, is now the political leader of the oil-rich South-South state.
Odili made this known on Thursday when he spoke at the commissioning of a Primary Healthcare Centre donated by his PAMO Foundation in Ndoni, his hometown in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
He underlined Rivers State’s strategic significance and cautioned that if the state sneezes, the entire country will catch a cold. He asked Governor Fubara to make all of his decisions with this awareness in mind.
Assessing Fubara’s performance, Odili commended him for making significant strides in critical sectors within his first year in office, particularly focusing on the well-being of the people.
Read Also: EFCC Reopens Probe Into Odili’s Alleged ₦100bn Fraud
He noted that Fubara’s administration is in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, especially in the health sector, following the recent launch of the Primary Healthcare Fellows scheme by the Federal Government.
Odili encouraged the governor to maintain this alignment with the President and his policies to attract federal government attention and support to the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has declared that local government chairmen disrespecting him will fall into the pit they have dug.
He said this while inaugurating the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre in Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of the state, on Thursday.Traveling across Quang Binh to stunning cinematic locations
Upon sighting the Chairman of ONELGA at the event, the governor expressed surprise, saying LGA chairmen have formed the habit of staying away from state functions.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who is having a cold war with the governor, is believed to be in control of local government structure in the state.
While inaugurating the centre, the governor said, “I’m surprised that I saw the chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government here. I’m very surprised because before now, any event that had to do with the state government, all the local government chairmen, as it were, didn’t participate.
“I hope when you leave here, they are not going to sack you because I know you are not loyal to me. Or when you leave here, you will grant a press interview that it was not you, but your shadow?
“But let me say it here. Every one of you who thinks you are disrespecting me, you have already dug your pit. You will fall inside it. That is the truth. Our minds are very open. We do not wish anyone bad, but we expect you to know and do what is right. For those of you who have chosen to take the part that you think is that way that leads to your salvation, safe journey.”
Away from politics, Fubara said when he assume office in May, over 340 primary healthcare centres across the state were in deplorable condition.