Crises In Rivers State Deepen
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has described former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili as an ingrate.
Wike’s statement was a response to an earlier statement by Odili who said that incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara has stopped Nyesom Wike from turning the state to a private estate.
Odili who spoke at a Christmas ballad organised by him in honour of Governor Fubara and his family, noted that Fubara summoned an unusual fortitude to confront the quest by Wike, the immediate past governor of the state, to capture Rivers through ferocious, but unnecessary political war.
According to Odili, his family who hosted the Rivers State Governor and his family to a night of varieties of song and other activities, did so in appreciation of the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities the governor has demonstrated in office.
He emphasized that it is now over 12 months, since the 25th of October 2023, when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Governor Fubara over the soul of Rivers State.
“Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the State as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance and made civil servants and Rivers people happier as it used to be until he left office in 2007,” he said.
Reacting on Sunday at a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Oro-Igwe/Eliogbolo Archdeaconry Church of the Holy Spirit, Eliozu Parish, Port Harcourt, Wike said: “What our former governor said is unfortunate.
“This is somebody who is supposed to be an elder statesman and a father. He said the president has been able to stop one politician, one man who wants to convert Rivers State to his personal estate.
“You remember when I was a governor, Odili praised me to high heavens. In fact, he said no governor combined has done what I did. Why in 2007, when he left power, he couldn’t be near power because Ameachi was in power? He was gone. When I came in as governor in 2015, I brought him back to life.”
Continuing, Wike said “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?
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