Wike
Wike Slams Ex-Governor Odili, Labels Him a Rent Seeker, Ingrate
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, criticized former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili on Sunday, accusing him of being a rent seeker and ungrateful for siding with the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike’s remarks were in response to Odili’s recent statement claiming Fubara had prevented Wike from turning Rivers State into his personal estate.
Speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, Wike addressed the congregation at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Port Harcourt, calling Odili an ingrate.
He alleged he had supported Odili and his family during his tenure, including building a house for him and appointing his relatives to key positions in government.
“Between him and myself, who has turned Rivers State into a personal estate?” Wike questioned, accusing Odili of nepotism and political opportunism.
Wike also recounted how he revived Odili’s political relevance after 2007 and dismissed the former governor’s presidency bid as a failed attempt.
He criticized Odili for praising Governor Fubara, who has been in office for less than a year, as surpassing all past governors, including Wike himself.
“He (Odili) said I was the best governor the state had seen. Now, he claims someone who hasn’t spent a year in office has done better. What kind of elder statesman behaves like that?” Wike said, labeling Odili’s actions as contradictory and reducing his credibility.
The Minister also alleged that Odili opposed Fubara’s emergence as governor and criticized his political inconsistency. Wike concluded by accusing Odili of lacking achievements during his own eight-year tenure as governor.