Odu Joins APC: Rivers Deputy Gov Secures Grassroots Support for Tinubu-Fubara Ticket

In a definitive move that further reshapes the political landscape of Rivers State, the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Following the recent defection of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Professor Odu completed her registration on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Ward 8, Unit 11, in Akabuka town, located within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA). The academic-turned-politician punctuated her entry into the party by joining supporters in a spirited rendition of “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand,” the signature anthem associated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Deputy Governor’s transition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not merely a symbolic shift but part of a coordinated effort to consolidate the “Renewed Hope” agenda within the oil-rich state. During an extensive tour of ONELGA’s six political zones, Professor Odu spearheaded an enlightenment drive for the APC’s ongoing electronic registration exercise. She urged residents to participate in the digital enrollment, emphasizing that a robust grassroots presence is the only way to ensure the state’s continued alignment with federal development initiatives.

Professor Odu’s move comes at a time of intense political realignment, as Governor Fubara was recently named the leader of the APC in Rivers State by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda. By securing her membership in her home local government, the Deputy Governor has signaled her commitment to bolstering the Fubara-led structure against internal and external opposition. She appealed to the people of ONELGA to look beyond old party lines and offer their full support to the President and the Governor, framing the 2027 elections as a “national rescue mission” for the state’s prosperity.

Observers note that this wave of defections, which now includes the state’s top two executives and several high-ranking officials, marks the end of the PDP’s long-standing dominance in Rivers State. As the 2026 political calendar progresses, the Deputy Governor’s focus has shifted toward building a formidable ward-level machinery. For Odu, the mission is clear: to ensure that the “Rivers of Possibilities” flows directly into the heart of the ruling party’s national strategy.