Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has strongly criticized former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, calling him the “greatest rent seeker” in the state and accusing him of politically betraying him.
Wike responded to Odili’s recent remarks in which he praised the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, while criticizing Wike’s tenure as governor.
Wike, speaking during a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, took aim at Odili, saying that he would not be surprised if Odili even arranged a new marriage for Fubara.
He accused Odili of seeking political gain by praising whoever is in power, even at the cost of abandoning his past allies.
Wike recalled how Odili had once praised him profusely during his time as governor, even going as far as hanging portraits of Wike in various parts of his home, including in the kitchen and toilets.
He referred to Odili as a “sycophant” who had turned from being a respected elder statesman to a political opportunist.
“An elder statesman should not be a sycophant all the time,” Wike said. “You spent eight years as governor and now you are praising someone who hasn’t even spent a year in office. What does that say about your credibility as an elder?”
In his attack on Odili, Wike also pointed out the former governor’s involvement in the political and economic affairs of the state.
He claimed that Odili had turned Rivers into his personal estate, with his wife holding a key position and his children securing influential roles in the state government.
Wike also accused Odili of having replaced his late brother’s son with his own daughter for a political appointment.
Responding to Odili’s comments that Governor Fubara had prevented Wike from turning the state into a “private estate,” Wike sharply questioned the former governor’s actions during his own tenure.
“Who has turned Rivers State into a private estate?” he asked, noting the political dominance of Odili’s family in key state institutions.
Wike also referenced his efforts to revitalize Odili’s political career, particularly in the creation of PAMO University and his support in building a mansion for Odili.
He expressed disappointment that Odili, after benefiting from his political support, would now turn against him.
“Odili’s Christmas Carol is a joke. He’s reduced himself to a laughing stock. He was the one who once praised me to the heavens, and now he’s doing the same for Governor Fubara, someone who hasn’t even completed a year in office,” Wike remarked.
The minister further recalled Odili’s past actions, stating that while Odili had been sidelined after his tenure as governor, Wike had revived his career politically.
He also recounted how Odili had criticized Wike’s leadership before but now appeared to be fully aligned with the current administration, despite his earlier opposition to Fubara.
On the matter of his leadership and legacy, Wike defended his record, asserting that he had done more for Rivers State than any of his predecessors, including Odili.
He mocked Odili for claiming that Fubara had surpassed the achievements of past governors, including his own.
Wike concluded by reflecting on Odili’s political hypocrisy and questioned his integrity.
He urged the public to see through the former governor’s sudden shift in allegiance and to recognize the opportunistic nature of his political behavior.
