The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Odu, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further deepening the recent political realignments in the state.
Odu’s defection comes more than a month after Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the majority of Rivers State’s federal and state lawmakers left the PDP for the APC. She completed her registration into the ruling party on Sunday at Akabuka, Ward 8, Unit 11, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA).
Following her registration, the deputy governor embarked on a tour of the six zones within the local government area to sensitise residents on the ongoing APC electronic registration exercise. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt by the Head of Press Unit, Office of the Deputy Governor, Owupele Benebo.
Addressing party stakeholders shortly after her registration, Professor Odu explained that the APC’s e-registration drive was in line with Governor Fubara’s earlier declaration to join the party. She urged residents to register en masse as a show of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Fubara.
According to her, the move is aimed at consolidating and strengthening the political base of both leaders. She revealed that six zonal meetings had already been held to mobilise grassroots support across the area.
“Today, I came to sensitise the people, and everywhere we went, large crowds came out to receive us,” Odu said. “They told me that wherever I go, they will go with me, and wherever Governor Fubara and President Tinubu go, they will follow. The joy and happiness were evident.”
She added that she had visited all six zones of the local government area — Egi, Omoku, Osomini, Igburu, Egbema and Ndoni — describing the reception as overwhelming.
Professor Odu described her defection as a major boost to the APC’s strength in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and a reflection of growing grassroots alignment with the leadership of President Tinubu and Governor Fubara.
The statement further noted that a major highlight of the tour was the defection of hundreds of Labour Party members in Ndoni to the APC, with the new entrants expressing excitement at joining the ruling party.
