In what is seen as mustering strength and support for Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, ahead of the 2027 governorship election, former Governor of the state, Peter Odili on Friday night at his Port Harcourt residence, gathered his political associates to honour the Rivers governor and his wife.
Odili, stated that as his family decided to host the Gov. Fubara and his family in appreciation of the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities he has demonstrated.
The ex-Governor explained that it is now over 12 months, since the October 25, 2023, politically motivated coup against Gov. Fubara over the soul of Rivers State.
He said that with assuring fortitude, Gov. 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.
Odili assured that he would continue to stand with the governor through thick and thin and also mobilze Rivers people to guarantee.maximum support for the Fubara administration .
Wife of the former governor, Justice Mary Odili, who presented gifts to Gov. Fubara and his family, said God knew long ago the need for an emancipator and gave Gov. Fubara to Rivers State.
She added that Gov. Fubara has played the role of an emancipator satisfactorily and pledged the continuous support of her family to the success of his administration.
Also speaking, former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, noted that the gathering was a roll call of the political family of Dr. Odili, stressing that Gov. Fubara had sufficiently blended the traits of Odili’s leadership style with his, and has steered the course of governance successfully, making the people of the state proud of him as a worthy son.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo recalled how the crisis that erupted in the assembly swept them off their feet, adding that the encouragement from Gov. Fubara, emboldened him and a few others to stand up for the truth to liberate the state.
Gov. Fubara said that God had proved Himself worthy as the ultimate liberator of the state and its people because He ensured total triumph over the political crisis and those behind it.
The governor stated that while the political antagonism lasted, God gave him a new perspective to leadership, adding that with the strength of support from Rivers people, he stopped seeing the crisis as a problem but as a necessary enabler in governance.
“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 everyone of you that is here. You gave me the 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.
Governor Fubara said God is in control of the affairs of the State, adding that as they look forward to a very prosperous 2025, they should be assured that it will be better than what had been experienced.
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He assured of the determination of his administration to make every succeeding year in the State better with remarkable records of progress, stressing that the excitement experienced among Rivers people during the Christmas celebrations is indicative of a brighter future ahead.
Gov. Fubara, who vowed to continue to do what is right, said it is also delighting to see true leaders of the state and well-meaning Rivers people standing on the right side of history, despite the pressure to surrender to tyranny and oppression.
He said: “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 everyone of you for your support.”
