Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed when he never invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to commission projects in Rivers state when he was the governor.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, who noted that Wike spoke at a Special Thanksgiving Service organised by factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Oro-Igwe/Eliogbolo Archdeaconry Church of the Holy Spirit, Eliozu Parish in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
According to the statement, Wike was responding to comments made by a former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, who he said accused him of plotting to ‘own the state’
Wike reminded everyone that Dr Odili had once hoped to run for president but backed out after former President Olusegun Obasanjo told him not to contest.
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“This is a man who wanted to run for president then, he didn’t have the balls, he chickened out. Simply because Obasanjo said no, he will not contest, he ran away. Because of him, I never invited Obasanjo to Rivers State to commission projects. I felt it will humiliate him.”
Wike expressed his dismay that someone who should be regarded as an elder statesman had reduced himself to sycophancy and trading, questioning: “Must you be a trader all the time? As governor for eight years, what else are you looking for?”
Wike went on to recall a conversation he had after reading an article about Dr Odili’s comments. Odili had reportedly claimed that the current governor had prevented one individual from turning Rivers State into his personal estate. In response, Wike asked, “Must you be a trader all the time? As governor for eight years, what else are you looking for?”
The Minister said; “You know, I didn’t want to say anything. But somebody called me last night, and told me what someone said in the social media. I said until I read it myself. This morning, I read in the newspapers what our former governor, Sir Dr Peter Odili, said.
“What did he say? He said that the present governor has been able to stop one man who wanted to convert Rivers State to his personal estate.
“Between him and myself, who has turned Rivers State to his personal estate? His wife is a chairman of Governing Council, his daughter is a Commissioner, his other daughter is a Judge, and he is the general overseer. Who has now turned Rivers State to his private estate? I am sure if care is not taken, if there is a chance, he can even arrange a marriage for the governor.
“It was his nephew, his late senior brother’s son that was recommended for Commissioner. He took the slot and gave it to his own daughter. Someone who didn’t remember to stand for the son of his late elder brother, is that an elder statesman?”
Wike further lamented the inconsistency in Odili’s behaviour, recalling how Odili had once praised him highly during his time as governor. “In 2007, after he left office, he couldn’t come near power in the State because Amaechi was the governor then. He was gone!” Wike said. “But when I became governor in 2015, I brought him back to life politically. He forgot all that I did for him.”
The Minister also recalled how he had supported Odili during his tenure by funding the Pamo University project and even personally commissioning the construction of a mansion for him, actions that Odili had previously praised.
However, Wike lamented that Odili’s recent actions, including organising a Christmas Carol for the current governor, were not only contrary to what he had said in the past but had become increasingly sycophantic.
