Odili is ‘beginning and end’ of Rivers politics, says Fubara

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says Peter Odili, a former governor, is the “beginning and end of politics” in the state.

Speaking on Wednesday night at a banquet to mark the New Year celebration in Port Harcourt, capital city of Rivers, Fubara said his “detractors” do not have any known “strong” face on their side in Rivers politics.

The governor made the statement days after Odili and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), had an exchange.

Odili had said Fubara prevented Wike from turning the state in his private estate, and that prompted the FCT minister to say the former governor is reducing himself to a laughing stock.

For months, Wike and his successor have been at loggerheads on various issues bordering on Rivers.

Fubara said people like Odili have distinguished themselves and contributed to the development of the state.

“If he (Odili) is sitting with us (here), and with these other persons, who do they have with them?,” he said.

“This Dr. Odili is the right face and right image of our State. These are the frontiers of Rivers state politics.”

The governor said no one would stop good governance in Rivers.

“We are not bothered about what they (opposition) will come with. God will always have a way to save us from them. They are going to come, but we are not worried. We are equal to the task,” he said.

“I honestly thank our leaders, from Dr. Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia, Sen John Azuta Mbata, Sir Austin Opara, Prince Uche Secondus, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; to others, for the organic support you are giving to our government.

“Education is the only instrument that can help our youths to avoid criminality and crime. Our state is behind in education, as our primary schools are shadows of themselves.”

The governor said education would be given the required attention under his stewardship.