The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Odu, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Odu’s defection comes more than a month after Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the majority of state and federal lawmakers from Rivers State left the PDP for the APC.
She completed her registration on Sunday at Akabuka, Ward 8, Unit 11 in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state and subsequently toured the six zones of the LGA to sensitise residents on the ongoing APC e-registration exercise.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the Head of Press Unit, Office of the Deputy Governor, Owupele Benebo.
Addressing stakeholders shortly after her registration, Odu explained that the APC’s e-registration exercise followed Governor Fubara’s declaration to join the party a few weeks earlier. She urged residents to show support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Fubara by registering en masse with the APC.
According to her, the move is aimed at strengthening the support base of both leaders, noting that six zonal meetings had already been held to mobilise grassroots backing.
She said large crowds turned out across the zones visited, expressing willingness to align with her political direction as well as that of Governor Fubara and President Tinubu.
Odu stated that she toured all six zones, Egi, Omoku, Osomini, Igburu, Egbema and Ndoni, describing the reception as a clear indication of growing support for the APC at the grassroots level.
She added that her defection would further boost the party’s strength in the local government area and reflects increasing alignment with the leadership of President Tinubu and Governor Fubara.
The statement also 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 party.
