A socio-political group, Justice for the Oppressed, has called for harmony and a peaceful working relationship between Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
Mr Japhet Amadi, the group’s Director of Public Relations, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
Justice for the Oppressed is a Port Harcourt-based organisation advocating justice, fairness, peaceful coexistence and good governance.
Amadi said that in spite of the political challenges in the state, Odu had remained loyal to the governor.
According to him, while the governor has been unable to secure the loyalty of members of the State House of Assembly, the deputy governor has remained steadfast.
He said Odu’s professional ethics, developed over time as a university lecturer, accounted for her refusal to be drawn into opposing political camps.
Amadi alleged that budgetary allocations to the Office of the Deputy Governor had not been released since both officials were sworn in, in 2023.
He also claimed that the deputy governor had not fully enjoyed the rights and privileges associated with her office, including participation in some key stakeholders’ and official meetings.
Amadi further said that the deputy governor was yet to be provided with official vehicles and was still using vehicles from the previous administration.
According to him, Odu could have aligned with opposing interests at the onset of political disagreements but chose dialogue and peace instead.
“She assured the governor of her loyalty and has remained committed, yet she is being treated like a stranger in a government where she is constitutionally the number two citizen,” he said.
Amadi urged the governor to make amends and accord the Office of the Deputy Governor its due rights and privileges.
He said that now that both officials are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), they must work together in harmony for the progress of the state.
He added that unity of purpose was necessary to overcome the political challenges facing Rivers.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu expects a united APC in the state to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“For the Renewed Hope Agenda to be realised, the governor and his deputy must work together. The governor must make amends,” Amadi said.
