Odili: Fubara Prevented One Man’s Quest to Capture Rivers as Private Estate

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

A former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, yesterday stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara stopped the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate.

This is just as Governor Fubara also declared that with the massive support of the people and the true leaders of the state, the political crisis in the state has made him stronger.

In his welcome address at a Christmas Ballad, he hosted for Fubara at his residence in Port Harcourt, Odili, who was careful not to mention any name, stated that the governor has emancipated the people of the state.
According to him, Fubara has also steadied governance and made civil servants and the people as happy as they used to be before he left office as governor of the state in 2007.

 Odili said his family decided to host Fubara and his family to a night of varieties of sing-song and other activities in appreciation of the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities he has demonstrated.
Odili explained that since October 25, 2023, when a fierce political battle was waged against Fubara over the soul of Rivers State, the governor has confronted the challenge, and prevented the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate.

He however did not name the man who wanted to capture the state as his private estate.
In her speech, Justice Mary Odili, who presented gifts to Fubara, his wife, Lady Valerie, and children, said God knew long ago the need for an emancipator and gave Governor Fubara to Rivers State, explaining that he had played the role satisfactorily, and pledged the continuous support of her family to the success of his administration.
Responding, Governor Fubara stated that while the political antagonism lasted, God gave him a new perspective on leadership.

According to him, with the strength of support from the people of the state, he has stopped seeing the political crisis in the state as a problem but as a necessary enabler in governance.
Speaking further, Fubara said God is in control of the affairs of the state, adding that as they look forward to a very prosperous 2025, the people are assured of good governance and better deals than what had been experienced.
He said: “And not just because I want to accept it, I get stronger in this course every day when I look at the support I am getting from the true Rivers people.

“So, it is not me being strong. My strength is drawn from every one of you that is here. You encouraged me; you did the work for me; you made the calls for me. So, why won’t I stand up for you?
“But we also believe strongly that the ultimate game changer, the ultimate liberator, and the ultimate fighter remains God Almighty. And because we have Him on our side, victory is assured,” Fubara added.

 Fubara, who vowed to continue to do the right things, said it was also delightful to see true leaders of the state and other well-meaning people of the state standing on the right side of history despite the pressures to surrender to tyranny and oppression.

Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo recalled how the crisis that erupted in the state assembly swept them off their feet but quickly added that the encouragement from Governor Fubara emboldened him and a few others to stand up for the truth to liberate the state.

 In his speech, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, said he least expected to have remained a chief judge, just as he didn’t expect the governor to last in office up until now given the political crisis.
Justice Amadi promised that he would continue to be on the right side of history in defence of the state.
Also speaking, former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, noted that the gathering was a roll call of Odili’s political family.

He said Governor Fubara had sufficiently blended traits of Dr Odili’s leadership style with his, and steered the course of governance successfully, making the people of the State proud of him as a worthy son.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman, of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), thanked the Odilis for organising the family reunion and lauded the governor and his family for showing unassuming humility and honouring the invitation.

He also thanked those he described as genuine elders and leaders of the state for joining in the celebration.
Odili Has Reduced Himself to Ridiculous Level, Says Wike’s Aide
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Lere Olayinka has described as disappointing, comments made against his principal by Odili.

Olayinka, who stated that Odili had lost statesmanship, added that the former governor had reduced himself to a ridiculous level of partisanship.
He revealed that Odili would get a deserved response from Wike in the coming days.