Wike to Odili: “I brought back your political career to life”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has on Sunday, during a thanksgiving service held at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Port Harcourt, criticized former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili.

Wike labeled Odili an ingrate and a rent seeker for aligning himself with the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

According to reports, Wike’s comments followed Odili’s assertion that Fubara had prevented Wike from transforming Rivers State into his private domain.

Wike recounted how he had assisted Odili, including building a house for him.

He pointed out that several of Odili’s family members held significant positions in the Rivers State government, stating that Odili had already established a personal fiefdom.

The FCT minister questioning Odili, asked, “As a former governor for eight years, what more do you want?

“I initially refrained from commenting, but after reading Odili’s statements, I felt compelled to respond.”

He recounted that after Odili left office in 2007, he struggled to regain influence in the state.

Wike stated, “When I became governor in 2015, I won’t say I resurrected him, but I certainly revitalized his political career.”

Wike also highlighted that Odili once praised his administration, claiming that no previous governor had outperformed him.

“Odili once stated that I surpassed all past governors combined.

“Now, he has reduced himself to a laughing stock,” Wike said.

In addition, the minister criticized Odili for praising Fubara, who had not yet completed a year in office, while simultaneously undermining Wike’s achievements.

He pointed out the inconsistency in Odili’s statements about the current governor’s performance compared to his own tenure.

Wike remarked, “You served eight years, yet someone who has been in office for less than a year has supposedly surpassed your records.

“What kind of elder speaks like that?”

Wike also pointed out that Odili had failed in his presidential ambitions, blaming his withdrawal from the race on former President Obasanjo’s disapproval.

He said,“this is a man who aspired to be president but backed down due to a lack of courage.”

About Odili

Background

Peter Odili was born on August 15, 1948, in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.

He attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he graduated from Medical School.

Following this, he pursued postgraduate studies in Tropical Medicine at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.

In 1988, Odili became a member and leader of the Rivers State Delegates to the Constituent Assembly.

By 1992, he was elected Deputy Governor of Rivers State.

After the end of the Nigerian Third Republic, he participated in the National Constitutional Conference and served as the Conference Committee Chairman on State Creation.

Later, he became the National Secretary of the now-defunct Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN).

Governorship Tenure

Odili was elected Governor of Rivers State in the 1999 gubernatorial election and won reelection in April 2003.

His tenure, however, faced significant challenges.

In September 2004, Amnesty International expressed deep concerns about the human rights situation in Rivers State, highlighting increasing violence from rival armed groups in Port Harcourt.

In December 2004, armed youths, believed to be part of the Egbesu cult, attacked Odili’s convoy, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including a police officer.

In March 2009, the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission, led by retired Supreme Court Justice Kayode Eso, attributed the violence during Odili’s administration to the failures of both state and federal governments, particularly under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The commission’s report identified issues such as poor governance, chieftaincy disputes, cultism, and political insurgency.

Despite Rivers State’s wealth from oil and business infrastructure, Odili’s administration made limited progress in improving the state’s conditions. In January 2007, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) issued an interim report detailing allegations of fraud, conspiracy, and mismanagement against Odili.

Human Rights Watch also highlighted widespread corruption and mismanagement under his leadership.

Just three months before the end of his second term, Odili filed a lawsuit challenging the EFCC’s authority to investigate his administration.

In November 2006, Odili announced his intention to run for president in the 2007 elections under the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

However, on December 15, 2006, just before the party’s primaries, he withdrew from the race, allowing Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to become the party’s candidate.

Later Career

After leaving office, Odili defended his record before the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission in June 2008, denying all allegations against him.

By December 2007, the Attorney General’s office, led by Michael Aondoakaa, had not filed a defense against Odili’s claims regarding the EFCC’s authority.

In March 2008, a Port Harcourt court ruled that the EFCC lacked the power to investigate state finances.

In September 2009, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an injunction preventing the EFCC from arresting or prosecuting Odili over a bank debt of 189 million naira.

Shortly after, the EFCC summoned him regarding debts owed to several banks whose management had recently been replaced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In December 2009, the New York Times published an article discussing the kidnapping industry in Africa.

The article included accusations from a kidnapper named Adiele Nwaeze, who claimed that Odili had paid him to rig an election by stealing ballot boxes.

In September 2010, reports surfaced that former military head of state Ibrahim Babangida was considering Odili as his running mate for the 2011 presidential election.

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