In a significant political endorsement, former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, has declared Governor Siminalayi Fubara's recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strategic pathway to unlocking greater opportunities for the state.
A Timely Move for Development
Odili, who served as the state's governor from 1999 to 2007, stated that the governor's decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was both timely and beneficial. He emphasized that this move is squarely in the best interest of the people of Rivers State. The former governor made these remarks over the weekend during the 8th Founders' Day and 5th Convocation Ceremony of PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt, an institution he founded.
Alignment with Federal Vision and Sectoral Investments
Odili took the opportunity to commend Governor Fubara for his substantial investments in critical sectors, particularly education and healthcare. He highlighted the governor's focus on primary healthcare as excellent, noting that it directly aligns with the ongoing reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration at the federal level.
"With what you have done as our governor, the attention you have paid to education, health and other sectors, I am sure no state in Nigeria can boast of the quality of health facilities you have built," Odili said. He praised the governor for directing state programmes to properly synchronise with the federal government's agenda in the health sector.
Securing Rivers' Share of National Resources
The core of Odili's argument centered on the tangible benefits of political alignment. He described the new connection between Rivers State and the ruling party at the center as "perfect." This alignment, he argued, is crucial for ensuring the state benefits more from national resources and development initiatives.
Using a vivid metaphor, Odili urged the people of Rivers to support the governor's decision: "We support it and encourage it because our people are now in the kitchen where the national cake is baked. Those who work in the kitchen benefit more. I urge Rivers people to rally behind the governor to secure our fair share of national resources."
He assured that given Governor Fubara's demonstrated commitment to the yearnings of Rivers people, the state government would continue to receive support for its programmes. The event, held on December 22, 2025, underscored a major political realignment with potential long-term implications for the state's development trajectory.
