Former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, has commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for navigating through political challenges in the past 12 months and more since the crisis broke out in October 2023.
Odili noted that Governor Fubara’s struggles were not driven by personal interest but were aimed at safeguarding the collective good of Rivers State, emphasizing that the fight is to ensure that the state cannot be reduced to anyone’s personal property.
“The battle he fought was not for himself or his family but in the interest of our dear state,” Odili stated.
“It was an existential fight for the soul of our state, to reaffirm and reassert that Rivers State can never be anybody’s personal property.”
Odili made these remarks during a special Christmas Ballad he hosted in his family in honour of Governor Fubara’s family at his residence in Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
Reflecting on Governor Fubara’s leadership, Odili, who served as Rivers State governor from 1999 to 2007, expressed optimism that God would bring to completion the positive changes underway in the state.
He also acknowledged the administration’s efforts in restoring a sense of satisfaction among civil servants and the general populace, reminiscent of the era before 2007.
“Someone called us a few nights ago and said that the last time they saw such happiness, smiles on people’s faces, and cheers in the hearts of civil servants was before 2007,” Dr. Odili recounted.
Rivers State has since October 2023 experienced significant political turbulence, primarily involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The crisis which began with a fire incident in the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex led to attempt by 27 members of the House led by the Speaker, Martin Amaeehule, to initiate an impeachment proceeding against Governor Fubara, prompting the demolition of the Complex for renovation.
In December 2023, 27 Assembly members, who initiated the impeachment proceedings including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal divisions within the PDP.
In response, the Assembly, under the leadership of Edison Ehie—recognized as Speaker by a state court—declared their seats vacant and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections.
The political crisis led to multiple legal battles and in January 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker, despite the defections, even though the Fubara camp argues that the issue of defection was not before the court.
Subsequently, the court nullified the 2024 Rivers State budget, ruling that it was not properly presented before the Assembly.
In October 2024, another court restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria from releasing monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government, citing constitutional violations in budget implementation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also retrained by a Federal High Court from presenting voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the purpose of conducting local government polls.
However, subsequent rulings by the Court of Appeal overturned decisions on both the local government elections and the state allocation, favoring Governor Fubara.
Throughout 2024, tensions persisted between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike, with Governor Fubara accusing Wike of attempting to control the state’s affairs, while Wike accused Fubara of being ungrateful.
Despite these challenges, Governor Fubara has expressed resilience, attributing his strength to the support of the people and divine intervention.
