When she was unveiled as the running mate to Siminialayi Fubara, the then governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, had dreamed of and prayed for two things; victory at the poll and a peaceful tenure as a deputy governor.
Undoubtedly, Odu, born on October 23, 1952, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, has her first prayer granted. She excelled at the 2023 election with her boss. But, the same thing cannot be said about her request for a peaceful, crisis-free and fulfilled tenure.
Odu, who obtained her first degree in Microbiology from the Paisley College of Technology, Renfrewshire, Scotland, the United Kingdom (UK), watched as the substructure of a once united political family built by a former Governor Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, began to collapse, following irreconcilable differences between Fubara and Wike, his erstwhile godfather.
The same family nominated and worked for her to become deputy governor. Her choice was unanimous. She was singlehandedly picked by Wike through the recommendations of former Governor Peter Odili.
Odili is a key figure in modern Rivers politics who supported Wike throughout his tenure as his political father. He has also often been referred to as the political godfather of Odu. While Wike solely nominated Fubara and made him governor, the former governor out of respect for Odili reportedly asked the latter to recommend Fubara’s deputy. Without hesitation, Odili was said to have chosen Prof. Odu.
Odu, a refined international scholar and first PhD graduate at the Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, was brought into politics by Odili. Under the administration of Odili, Odu was a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health between 1999 and 2006, making her the longest-serving permanent secretary. She also rose to become the Commissioner for Education in January 2006.
The scholar, who led the rescue team of the December 2010 ill-fated Sosoliso crash in which only two people survived, owed her political loyalty to Odili. She was said to have developed a fondness for Wike, who used to pour encomiums on her publicly, especially during the campaigns.
How has Odu faired amidst the political crisis in Rivers? A peep into her activities shows that the professor has been discharging the functions of her office diligently. The nature of her office and Odili’s position in the impasse have helped Odu to define her feelings.
The office of a deputy governor has always been likened to a spare tyre. Just like her predecessor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, who is now the senator representing Rivers West, Odu has maintained a quiet mien. She has never made controversial political statements. Though she has maintained her loyalty to Fubara, she has never been heard casting aspersion on or verbally attacking Wike.
She has meticulously attended all programmes of the governor that required her presence. She has also been representing the governor in various events. In her public speeches, Odu has shown her complete loyalty to Fubara as required by her office.
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Recently at the 2024 Rivers Economic Summit, Prof. Odu described Fubara, whom she fondly refers to as her boss as a leader with the ability to inspire, motivate and encourage people to bring out the best in them. She said: “We thank him for conceiving the idea of this summit. He is a man of courage; a man of focus and a man, who puts Rivers people first.”
Similarly, when Prof. Odu received the Silverbird Man of the Year Award on behalf of Fubara, she wrote: “It was truly well-deserved for my boss to be recognized for his efforts in promoting peace and unity in our state. This award serves as a reminder of the importance of working towards a peaceful and harmonious society for the betterment of all.
“I am proud to be a part of his team and to contribute to the progress and prosperity of our dear state. Thank you, Silverbird, for this recognition. We also thank everyone who has supported us in our mission for peace. Let us continue to strive for a world where peace and harmony prevail.”
While refraining from making public statements about the crisis, Odu has shown nothing but complete loyalty to Fubara. For instance, during the governor’s birthday, Odu wrote: “Your excellency, as you celebrate your birthday today, it is my fervent prayers that the Almighty God shall continue to bless, protect, guide and keep you in good health and give you the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state excellently.”
Apart from the nature of her office, a key factor that has propelled Odu to maintain unwavering loyalty to Fubara is that Odili has pitched his tent with Fubura right from the beginning of the crisis. The former governor chose to support the Fubura camp from the outset. He is said to be an active leader of the camp and the backbone of the governor in the crisis.
In the heat of the crisis, Odili has openly identified Fubara as the political leader of Rivers. He further remarked that Fubara had taken full control of his administration. He said: “The time for politics is over; it is now time for governance. You have done well by hitting the ground running. You have touched all sectors: education, agriculture, and now health. This is in line with Mr. President’s agenda.
“Regard your office as key. Don’t look back. It is not a matter of age. What is important is that your people are with you. The Rivers State people said I should tell you that you are their political leader. Whatever you say stands and wherever you go they will follow.”
Fubara has also boasted that Odili’s membership of his camp was giving his enemies sleepless nights. Therefore, Prof. Odu naturally belongs to Odili’s camp and can flaunt her loyalty to Fubara without any doubt.
Despite not having the peace she dreamed of, which her predecessor enjoyed, Odu has continued to discharge her responsibilities, guarding her utterances and demonstrating unalloyed loyalty to Fubara while showing gratitude for the roles Wike played by resisting the temptation to be drawn into abusive outbursts against the FCT minister.
