Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has launched a scathing attack on former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili, labeling him a rent seeker and an ingrate for supporting the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike’s comments came in response to Odili’s recent statement suggesting that Fubara prevented Wike from turning Rivers State into his private estate. Speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service in Port Harcourt, Wike recounted how he had supported Odili during his tenure, claiming that Odili’s family members hold significant positions in the state government.
“Why must you always act like a trader? After serving as governor for eight years, what more do you want?” Wike questioned. He expressed disbelief at Odili’s remarks, saying, “Who has really turned Rivers State into a personal estate? His wife is a Chairman of the Governing Council, his daughter is a commissioner, and another is a judge.”
Wike reflected on Odili’s political history, noting that after leaving office in 2007, Odili struggled to regain influence in the state until Wike assumed the governorship in 2015. “When I came into power, I brought him back to life politically,” Wike asserted.
He pointed out that Odili had previously praised him as a better governor than his predecessors, criticizing him for now trying to undermine Fubara’s administration. “This is the same Odili who once said that all past governors combined didn’t do as well as I did. Now, he claims Fubara has surpassed my records within a year,” Wike remarked.
Wike further criticized Odili’s lack of accomplishments during his own tenure and mentioned that Odili failed in his presidential ambitions. He accused Odili of hypocrisy for now supporting Fubara after previously opposing his emergence as governor.
Wike concluded by highlighting his contributions to Odili’s political legacy, stating, “I named projects after you and your wife. What have I not done? This is a man who wanted to run for president but backed down when faced with opposition.”
