Odili’s endorsement of administration unsettling to detractors, Fubara declares

RState Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed delight over the support his administration is getting from former Governor Peter Odili, saying such endorsement is giving his detractors blood pressure. Recall that Odili, at the weekend, declared Fubara as the political leader of the state. A development many political observers say may further sever the relationship between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Odili, who governed the state between 1999 and 2003.

Wike took over from former Governor Chibuike Amaechi in 2015, and governed till 2023 when he handed over to Fubara; but the duo has been in a frigid relationship just five months after Fubara was sworn- in, following alleged undue influences on his successor’s programmes and policies.

Fubara, while responding to Odili’s declaration, emphasised that it is better to stand alone on the right side provided it is the side of truth.

Fubara said: “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 that matter, the people that ha ve what they claim th ey have; integrity, are with us. That is the truth.”

Fubara said that it is more profitable for an individual to acknowledge what is right, and refuse to yield to negative persuasions to re main true to it, stres sing that the former Governor Odili is such a personality.

The governor noted that some other persons, who claim and arrogate integrity and character to themselves, actually do not have any iota of such qualities.

He added: “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) .

“So, if we have one person who has integrity and character, is it not better than having 1,000 persons with questionable character? So, we are happy to identify with him.

“Greatness is not about money. It is the value that you give to yourself. Greatness is the respect that you preserve for yourself.