The ongoing feud between Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, and Peter Odili, the former governor of Rivers State, has intensified after Wike’s sharp response to Odili’s recent comments. Wike criticized Odili for what he perceived as political sycophancy, accusing him of reducing himself from an elder statesman to a sycophant. He questioned Odili’s actions, asking why, after serving as governor for eight years, he was still involved in political maneuvering and family patronage within the state’s governance....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
According to Tribune, the conflict arose after Odili praised the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for stopping Wike from turning the state into his personal fiefdom. In his response, Wike pointed out that it was Odili, not him, who had turned Rivers into a “private estate,” citing how Odili had placed his family members in key political and judicial positions. Wike highlighted the contrast between Odili’s public criticism and his own actions when he was in power, implying that Odili was hypocritical for condemning him while engaging in similar practices.
Wike further expressed disappointment over Odili’s political opportunism, suggesting that the former governor had forgotten the past praises he lavished on Wike during his tenure. Wike reminded the public that Odili had once hailed his achievements in office, even comparing him favorably to all previous governors of Rivers State. This sudden change in tone, according to Wike, was indicative of Odili’s desperation to remain relevant in the political sphere, especially after being sidelined during the administration of Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike also pointed out the hypocrisy in Odili’s recent praise of Fubara, who had only been in office for a short time. Wike contrasted Fubara’s performance with Odili’s own record, questioning how Odili could now claim that Fubara had surpassed the achievements of all previous governors, including his own. Wike’s remarks underscored his belief that Odili’s political commentary lacked consistency and sincerity, further adding to his criticisms of the former governor.
In addition to his political jabs, Wike reminisced about the past, recalling how he had supported Odili’s comeback in politics after a period of political obscurity. Wike mentioned the support he provided to Odili, including sponsoring students at PAMO University and funding projects to benefit Odili’s legacy. Wike expressed his frustration with Odili’s behavior, suggesting that Odili had forgotten these past gestures in favor of political expediency.
Wike has made it clear that he is focused on his duties in Abuja, refusing to be distracted by the political drama. He dismissed Odili’s comments as nothing more than a desperate attempt to regain political relevance, stating that sycophantic behavior would not take him to the heights Wike has achieved.
He said, “What can I learn from this kind of elder? What kind of advice can one get from him? This moment you are saying something, the next moment you are saying something else. You see, if your children begin to ask you, is this not the same man you were praising before? What would you tell them?.
When I was plotting who will be governor after me, was he (Odili) there? Then, he was complaining about this governor, saying that he couldn’t stand before the public to talk. But today, he is organizing Christmas Carol for the same governor he was against then.” ...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
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