KEY POINTS
- According to Wike, Odili is a sycophant and a political turncoat.
- Odili says Fubara ended Wike’s political hold on Rivers.
- Wike says he brought Odili’s career to life and gave him much support.
Former Rivers State Governor and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has publicly criticized Rivers State guber aspirant and erstwhile FCT Minister, Dr Peter Odili, saying that he was was politically irrelevant until I revived him.
In Port Harcourt, Wike, speaking at a thanksgiving service, called Odili a sycophant who praises whatever government is in power at any time for personal gain.
But Wike alleged Odili’s loyalty has so conveniently shifted as he recalled how the same Odili he celebrated extravagantly today once used words of adulation to adorn his administration. Wike said my pictures were everywhere in his house, from the sitting room to the toilets.
Despite he had renderred financial and infrastructural support to Rivers State, including annual funding for Odili’s university, PAMO and the building of a mansion for Udun Usimweniweni Wakirike, he accused Odili of undermining his contributions.
Tensions sparked by Odili’s counterclaims
Speaking at a recent Christmas Carol event in honor of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Odili hailed Fubara’s war to ‘emancipate Rivers people’ and save Rivers from being turned to a personal estate by Wike. Odili also accused Wike of waging unnecessary political battles that he said divided the state.
Wike dismissed Odili’s comments as hypocritical in response. He said Odili praised him during his tenure as governor but he has changed allegiance. Odili’s credibility as an elder statesman was questioned by Wike who said his actions lacked consistency and integrity.
Wike’s parting shot
Wike said ‘Odili’s sycophancy has no bounds’. Odili ‘reduced himself to political trading,’ pandering for power for relevance, he alleged. He added that Odili’s influence in Rivers Politics began to wane before he became a governor in 2015 and it was he alone who single – handedly revived Odili’s career.
In wrapping up, Wike urged Odili to ‘stay off divisive political statements’ and asked him to direct his attention to his personal endeavors.
