Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers, has declared Siminalayi Fubara, the incumbent governor, as the political leader of the state.
Odili spoke on Thursday at the inauguration of a healthcare facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA that he donated to the state government.
“Thanks for standing up to defend the interests of all Rivers people,” Odili, who was the governor between 1999 and 2007, told Fubara.
“We are proud of you. Politics is over, it is now time for governance. You have hit the ground running.
“Your government is aligning correctly with President Tinubu’s government, especially in the areas of education, agriculture, and now the health sector.
“Our people said I should tell you to stand with the president, align with his positive policies, and link the people of Rivers State with the centre.
“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. Don’t look back, stay focused, knowing that your people are behind you.”
RIVERS POLITICAL CRISIS
Odili’s statement comes amid the strained relationship between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, his successor and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
Wike and Fubara are locked in a struggle for control of Rivers’ political structure.
The political crisis led to the defection of 27 state house of assembly members, who are loyal to Wike, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers have been threatening the govenor with impeachment.
Last week, Wike, during a media chat with journalists, admitted that he no longer has a good relationship with Odili over “political differences”.
“As it is today, politically, we don’t have a good relationship. We don’t work together. There are some political differences,” Wike said.
Wike previously regarded Odili as his political mentor.