Peter Odili, a former Rivers State Governor, has highlighted how Governor Siminalyi Fubara stopped his predecessor and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, from turning the state into his private estate.
Wike and Fubara have been embroiled in a supremacy battle for control of Rivers politics for over a year, as the former alleged that his predecessor’s overbearing influence was hindering governance while the latter accused him of deviating from their agreed terms.
But, speaking at a Christmas ballad he organised in honour of Fubara and his family over the weekend, Odili lauded the Governor’s resolve to weather the political storm in the state since last year.
He disclosed that as a family, he, his wife and children, decided to host the Rivers State Governor and his family to a night of varieties of song and other activities in appreciation of “the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities he has demonstrated”.
Odili further commended Fubara for summoning unusual fortitude to confront alleged Wike’s quest to capture Rivers through ferocious, unnecessary political war.
He noted that it is over 12 months since the 25th of October 2023, when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Fubara over the soul of the oil-rich state.
According to him, “Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the State as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance and made civil servants and Rivers people happier as it used to be until he left office in 2007.”
Fubara gives thanks to God
Responding, the Governor gave adulation to the Almighty for proving Himself worthy as the Ultimate Liberator of the State and its people, saying God ensured his total triumph over the political crisis and those behind it.
He added that God gave him a new perspective on leadership during the political antagonism.
“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 gave me encouragement; you do the work for me; you make 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 still remains God Almighty. And because we have Him on our side, victory is assured,” he said.
Fubara maintained that God has control of the state’s affairs, assuring the residents of a better experience as they look forward to a very prosperous 2025.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to make every succeeding year in the state better with remarkable records of progress, stressing that the excitement experienced by the Rivers people during the Christmas celebrations indicates a brighter future ahead.
He expressed delight at seeing true leaders and well-meaning people from the state standing on the right side of history despite the pressures to surrender to tyranny and oppression.
“I want to thank everyone, and I assure you that we will continue to run a government that will uplift the image of the State. We will not be tyrants.
“We will remember that what we are doing here today is a shift job and that one day, our time will be up, and we’ll leave for another person to take over.
“And what is important is to allow the machine to keep running effectively so that when the other person comes, he continues with that steam for progress in the State.
“So, I thank every one of you for your support,” Fubara added.
