The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly criticised former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, labeling him an ingrate and a rent seeker following his comments about the current administration in Rivers State.
Wike’s reaction came after Odili claimed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had stopped him from turning the state into Wike’s personal estate.
Speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service organised by Martin Amaewhule, a factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Wike detailed his grievances with Odili.
Wike claimed that Odili had turned the state into his personal domain, with family members occupying key political positions, including his wife as the Chair of the Governing Council, his daughter as a commissioner, and another daughter as a judge.
Wike dismissed Odili’s criticisms, asking, “Must you be a trader all the time? As governor for eight years, what else are you looking for?”
He further highlighted the former governor’s hypocrisy, questioning his motives for making such remarks when he had previously praised Wike’s leadership.
“In 2007 after he left office, he couldn’t come near power in the state because Amaechi was the governor. He was gone!” Wike stated.
“When I came in as governor in 2015, I won’t use the word resurrected, but I brought him back to life.”
Wike recounted how Odili had previously praised him, stating that he had surpassed all previous governors in Rivers State.
The current Minister expressed frustration at the former governor’s about-face, now criticising Fubara’s administration after having once supported it.
Wike further accused Odili of being a political opportunist, recalling that Odili had once aspired to run for President but backed out after former President Olusegun Obasanjo opposed his bid. Wike also claimed that Odili’s actions had hindered relationships between Rivers State and Obasanjo, specifically noting that he deliberately avoided inviting Obasanjo to Rivers to inaugurate projects.
“He has forgotten all that he said in the past. I named this after you, I named that after your wife. What have I not done?” Wike added.
In his remarks, Wike suggested that Odili’s behavior was unbecoming of an elder statesman, calling it a “laughing stock” and a betrayal of the support he once received.
He concluded by questioning what Odili had achieved during his own eight-year tenure as governor, asserting that Fubara, in less than a year, had already exceeded Odili’s accomplishments.
Wike’s comments underscore the growing political tensions in Rivers State, as the power struggle between old and new political figures continues to shape the region’s leadership dynamics.
