Odili Accuses Wike of Attempting to Turn Rivers State into a Private Estate

Governor Odili Accuses Wike
Wike’s Aide Rebuffs Accusations
He hints on Wike’s Response

The war of words between prominent Rivers State politicians intensified as Dr. Peter Odili, a former Governor of Rivers State, accused Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike of attempting to capture Rivers as his “private estate.”

Speaking at a Christmas ballad organized in honor of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his family, Dr. Odili lauded Fubara for his resistance to what he termed Wike’s “ferocious” and “unnecessary political war.” According to Odili, Governor Fubara exhibited courage by standing against Wike’s alleged domination efforts, restoring happiness among civil servants and Rivers residents.

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“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,” Odili said.

The remarks prompted a sharp rebuttal from Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka. Olayinka criticized Odili for abandoning statesmanship and engaging in “ridiculous partisanship.”

“Read the comments made by the former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, today, and I can’t but be disappointed that someone who should be acting like an elder statesman can reduce himself to such a ridiculous level of partisanship,” Olayinka said in a statement on Saturday night.

He hinted that Wike would respond to the allegations in due course, stating, “Well, he will get his deserved response from the FCT Minister in due course.”

The latest exchange reflects deepening political tensions between allies-turned-rivals within Rivers State, as the battle for influence and control continues to shape the state’s political landscape.