, has fired back at former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili, claiming that it was his intervention that revived Odili’s political career.){kind=link}
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has fired back at former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili, claiming that it was his intervention that revived Odili’s political career.
Wike accused Odili of being a political sycophant who praises those in power for personal gain, suggesting that it would not surprise him if Odili went as far as arranging a new wife for the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The Minister also recalled how Odili had previously showered him with praise when Wike was governor, even going as far as displaying portraits of Wike in every room of his house, including the kitchen and toilets. Wike labeled Odili as a “rent seeker” and criticized him for behaving more like a trader than an elder statesman.
Wike’s comments came after Odili recently praised Fubara during a Christmas event. Odili had suggested that Fubara had shown great resilience in countering Wike’s alleged attempt to dominate the state politically. Odili claimed that Fubara had prevented Wike from turning the state into his “private estate” and had improved the welfare of Rivers citizens, especially civil servants.
In response, Wike, speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service in Port Harcourt, expressed his frustration with Odili’s remarks. He questioned how a former governor could reduce himself to a sycophant and continued trader after serving eight years in office.
“Why must you always be a trader? After eight years as governor, what else do you need?” Wike asked.
He went on to remind Odili of how he had supported him after he left office, saying, “When I became governor in 2015, I didn’t just revive you politically, I brought you back to life. Without me, there would be no PAMO University. Rivers State even funded students there, and I personally facilitated the construction of a mansion for you.”
Wike also expressed dismay over Odili’s changing stance. “Odili used to praise me to the skies. Now, after organizing a Christmas carol for the governor, he has completely forgotten the help I offered him,” Wike said, adding that Odili had once claimed that no past governor had done more for the state than Wike.
Wike further pointed out the inconsistency in Odili’s praise, especially after he claimed Fubara, who had been in office for less than a year, had already surpassed the achievements of all previous governors, including Odili himself.
“What has Odili done in his eight years as governor? Now, after just one year, Fubara has allegedly surpassed him. What kind of elder statesman talks like that?” Wike asked.
Wike also revisited the issue of Odili’s excessive adulation during his tenure, noting that portraits of him had once adorned every room in Odili’s house, including the toilets, but had since been removed.