The political landscape in Rivers State witnessed a significant shift this week as Professor Ngozi Odu, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Her move comes on the heels of a broader political realignment in the oil-rich state, following the recent defection of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and many lawmakers from the PDP to the APC.

Odu completed her registration as a member of the APC on Sunday at Akabuka, Ward 8, Unit 11, in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA). After formalising her membership, she embarked on a tour across the six zones of ONELGA, urging residents to participate in the APC’s ongoing e-registration exercise and aligning their support with the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Fubara.

Speaking to stakeholders shortly after her registration, the Deputy Governor described the exercise as a strategic effort “to further strengthen the support base of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.” She explained that the tour — which covered Egi, Omoku, Osomini, Igburu, Egbema and Ndoni — drew large crowds at every stop, with many expressing their willingness to follow her and the state’s leadership into the APC.

Odu’s defection is widely seen as a continuation of the political shift in Rivers State, where the APC has been steadily consolidating power after the entry of Governor Fubara into the ruling party. Her decision to register with the APC not only reinforces the party’s grassroots presence but also signals growing acceptance of the APC among local political stakeholders and communities.

A notable development during her tour was the defection of hundreds of Labour Party members in Ndoni to the APC. Odu described this as a “boost to the APC’s strength” and a sign of increasing alignment with the policies and leadership of both the federal and state governments.

The official announcement of her defection was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by Owupele Benebo, Head of the Press Unit in the Office of the Deputy Governor. The statement emphasised that Odu’s move and the ongoing registration exercise are meant to deepen political support at the grassroots and unify the political base ahead of future elections.

Odu’s shift to the APC also reflects a wider trend of political realignments across Nigeria, where several politicians and local leaders have been moving to the ruling party as it tightens its grip ahead of the 2027 general elections. These defections are seen by analysts as efforts to position key political actors within the dominant national party to access federal support and strengthen local influence.

Beyond the political implications, Odu’s active engagement in the e-registration tour highlights her commitment to mobilising public support and ensuring that ordinary residents are involved in the party’s expansion strategy. Her appeals for massive registration underscore the APC’s effort to build a solid grassroots structure in Rivers State, traditionally an opposition stronghold until recent years.

As Rivers State continues to experience significant political shifts, Odu’s defection marks another major development in the state’s political history, shaping the narrative of party dominance and alignment in the lead-up to national elections.