ABUJA: Toba Owojaiye reporting
The political landscape in Rivers State has been shaken by a fiery exchange between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Abuja and Dr. Peter Odili, a former governor of Rivers state.
This heated clash reflects the shifting alliances and underlying tensions in Nigerian politics, particularly in Rivers State.
Truth Live News gathered that Dr. Peter Odili recently lauded the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for stopping what he termed as Wike’s “quest to turn Rivers State into a private estate.”
Speaking at a Christmas ballad organized to honor Governor Fubara and his family, Odili said: “Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance, and made civil servants and Rivers people happier as it used to be.”
This statement triggered a strong rebuttal from the minister of FCT Wike, during a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Wike accused the former Governor Odili of sycophancy and hypocrisy, claiming to have resurrected his political career.
“Between him and myself, who has turned Rivers State into a private estate? His wife is the Chairman of a Governing Council, his daughter is a commissioner, his other daughter is a judge, and he is the general overseer.”
“If care is not taken, he can even arrange a marriage for the governor. Is this what an elder statesman should be known for? The FCT minister said.
Wike who is also the former Governor of Rivers state reminded the audience of his efforts to restore Odili’s political influence when he became governor in 2015.
“In 2007, after Odili left office, he couldn’t come near power in Rivers State because Amaechi was governor then.He was gone!
“When I came in as governor, I brought him back to life. But for us, there wouldn’t have been anything called PAMO University.
“Rivers State was sponsoring 100 students per session, each paying nothing less than N5 million per semester. I personally called Julius Berger to build him a mansion to live in.
“He was calling everyone, telling them, ‘Come and see what Wike has done for me.’ Now, because of a Christmas carol, he has forgotten all that.”
Wike also accused Odili of failing to support his family members politically, alleging that he took a commissioner’s slot meant for his late brother’s son and gave it to his own daughter.
“Someone who didn’t remember to stand for the son of his late elder brother — is that an elder statesman? Must you be a trader all the time?” Wike rhetorically asked.
In Credulous Response To Odili’s Praise
“When I was there, this same Odili said I had surpassed all past governors in Rivers State, including himself. Now, he’s saying that a governor who hasn’t spent one year has done more than all the past governors combined. What manner of elder talks like that?”
Wike also recalled how he refrained from inviting former President Olusegun Obasanjo to Rivers State during his tenure to protect Odili’s dignity:
“This is a man who wanted to run for president then but chickened out simply because Obasanjo said no.
“Because of him, I never invited Obasanjo to Rivers State to commission projects. I didn’t want him to be humiliated.”
This public spat highlights the complex web of relationships and rivalries in Nigerian politics, especially in Rivers State.
Once mentor and protégé, Odili, Fubara and Wike now represent opposing sides of a deepening political divide.
The accusations of sycophancy, hypocrisy, and betrayal reflect the volatile nature of Rivers State politics, where shifting allegiances often dominate public discourse.
While Wike’s statements were laced with personal attacks, they also offered insights into his perspective on governance and loyalty.
Conversely, Odili’s praise of Fubara cannot be seen without outside his attempt to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving political landscape.
The unfolding drama raises broader questions about the role of elder statesman and godfathers in Nigerian politics and the sustainability of loyalty in a system often driven by personal and political interests.