Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the real people with integrity and character are solidly standing by his administration, adding that the backing by the former governor, Dr Peter Odili, is giving his detractors high blood pressure.
Odili had last Thursday declared Fubara as the political leader of Rivers State, saying the people believed in his leadership and were behind him.
The declaration by Odili came amid the political crisis between Fubara and his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara and Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, have been embroiled in a tussle for political control in the state and the situation, which began in October last year, has seen power brokers and political stalwarts taking sides.
Speaking last Thursday during the inauguration of a health centre, Odili told Fubara: “Our people said I should tell you to stand firm with the President, align with his quality policies and carry Rivers people to the engine room of government in the Federal Republic in Abuja.
“For those who have not bothered to pay attention, if you look at the map of Nigeria, the entire map of Nigeria is sitting on Rivers State.
“When Rivers State coughs, Nigeria will catch a cold. So regard your office as key and vital. Don’t look back. It is not a matter of age. It is a matter of your people being with you. And 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 are standing on firm ground. Stand there, hold onto God; the rest of the journey will be a piece of cake.”
In a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara expressed delight over Odili’s declaration, saying his detractors were already having blood pressure over Odili’s pronouncement.
Fubara said, “I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that stand with you. Even if you’re standing alone, no matter the side you’re standing on, provided you are standing on the right side, maintain your stand. And we are happy to stand with him (Odili).
“We are also happy that he is standing with us. Even his person alone is giving people high blood pressure. They are restless, granting all sorts of media interviews.
“Why are they doing it? It is because the people who matter, the people who have what they claim they have, integrity, are with us. That is the truth.
“So, if we have one person who has integrity and character, is it not better than having 1,000 persons with questionable characters? So, we are happy to identify with him (Odili).”
Fubara restated his promise to provide everything needed to make the health centre, donated by PAMO Educational Foundation founded by Odili, function maximally.
We came here to celebrate with our own Daddy. It is a celebration of giving back to society. It is natural that when God blesses you, such time should come when you say ‘Let me return those blessings to society’.
“And we are happy to identify with what I consider, and I want to tag as the ‘I’ agenda’. This is the genuine ‘I’ agenda project.
“This was not done when he (Odili) was in power, when he could have used public funds to execute projects. He is no longer in government; he is a private man. And now that he is a private man, he has done something to support his people. That is the right time to use the word ‘I’ did this.”
Fubara urged the people to continue to support Odili, saying, “He is a great man. He is integrity and character personified. It is only those who understand what greatness is all about that will appreciate what he has done.”
According to Fubara greatness is not about money.
“Greatness is the value that you give to yourself; greatness is the respect that you preserve for yourself so that even when you’re being insulted, you look around and say, ‘I know my value; I will not bring myself down’. So, continue to stand with it. God will help us to achieve the purpose of governance with your help.”