The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering critique of former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, accusing him of political sycophancy and hypocrisy.
Wike claimed he was instrumental in reviving Odili’s political relevance, describing him as “politically dead” before his intervention.
Speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Anglican Communion in Port Harcourt, Wike responded to comments Odili made during a Christmas Ballad in honor of the current Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Odili had alleged that Fubara thwarted Wike’s attempt to turn Rivers State into his personal estate.
Reacting to Odili’s statement, Wike said, “Between him and myself, who has turned Rivers State to his personal 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. Who has now turned Rivers State into a private estate?”
Wike accused Odili of betraying past support and loyalty, adding that the former governor’s remarks reeked of opportunism. He recalled Odili’s earlier praise during his own tenure as governor. “When I was governor, this same Odili praised me to high heavens. In fact, he said then that all past governors in Rivers State combined did not do better than me. He even hung my pictures in every room of his house—living room, bedroom, kitchen, and toilets. But today, all those pictures are gone.”
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Wike detailed his contributions to Odili’s resurgence, highlighting the support he provided for PAMO University and the mansion he built for the former governor. “In 2007 after he left office, he couldn’t come near power in the state because Amaechi was governor. He was gone! When I became governor in 2015, I brought him back to life politically. For PAMO University, Rivers State sponsored 100 students per session, each paying at least N5 million per semester. I even called Julius Berger to build him a mansion. He was telling everyone how Wike had shown him love,” Wike recounted.
The FCT Minister also took a swipe at Odili’s alleged sycophantic tendencies, accusing him of pandering to whoever is in power. “An elder statesman should not be a trader or a sycophant all the time. What can I learn from such an elder? What kind of advice can one get from someone who praises you one moment and criticizes you the next?” Wike queried.
On the Rivers governorship issue, Wike dismissed Odili’s criticisms and alleged inconsistency. “When I was plotting who would be governor after me, was he there? Back then, he was complaining about this governor, saying he couldn’t stand before the public to talk. But today, he’s organizing Christmas Carols for the same governor he once opposed,” Wike said.
Addressing Odili’s claim that Fubara had surpassed the achievements of past governors, Wike said, “The governor hasn’t even spent one year in office, and Odili is already saying he’s done more than all the past governors. You spent eight years as governor, and someone who hasn’t spent one year has beaten your record? What manner of elder talks like that?”
Wike concluded by accusing Odili of lacking the courage to stand firm in politics, referencing Odili’s decision to step down from the presidential race years ago. “This is a man who wanted to run for president but didn’t have the balls. He chickened out because Obasanjo said no. Because of him, I never invited Obasanjo to Rivers State to commission projects. I didn’t want to humiliate him,” Wike stated.
The Minister’s fiery remarks underscore a deepening rift between two of Rivers State’s most prominent political figures, casting a spotlight on the personal and political dynamics shaping the state’s leadership.