Kehinde Fajobi
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, accusing him of political sycophancy and rent-seeking.
Wike claimed Odili was politically irrelevant until he revived him during his tenure as governor.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving Service organised by Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martin Chike Amaewhule, in Port Harcourt, Wike dismissed recent comments by Odili, who alleged that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had stopped Wike from turning the state into a “private estate.”
Wike questioned Odili’s credibility, describing him as a sycophant willing to praise any government for personal gain.
“An elder statesman should not be a trader and a sycophant all the time,” Wike said.
He accused Odili of hypocrisy, noting that during his tenure as governor, Odili lavished him with praise.
“When I was governor, this same Odili praised me to high heavens. He even hung my pictures everywhere in his house – the sitting room, bedroom, kitchen, even in the toilets,” Wike said.
The minister also highlighted his contributions to Odili’s personal projects, including PAMO University, which Wike said received significant financial support from the Rivers State government.
“Rivers State sponsored 100 students per session, each paying nothing less than ₦5 million per semester,” Wike revealed.
Wike expressed disappointment over Odili’s recent remarks at a Christmas Carol event, where the former governor hailed Fubara as having surpassed the achievements of all past Rivers governors.
“You spent eight years as governor, and someone who hasn’t spent one year has surpassed your records? What manner of elder talks like that?” Wike queried.
He accused Odili of prioritising personal gain over principle, stating, “Why not do your Christmas Carol, collect what you can collect, and leave me alone?”
Wike also criticised Odili’s role in political decisions, alleging that Odili opposed Fubara’s candidacy before changing his stance.
“When I was plotting who would be governor after me, was he there? Then, he was complaining about this governor, saying he couldn’t stand before the public to talk,” Wike said.
The minister concluded by urging Odili to focus on his legacy rather than engaging in sycophantic behaviour, adding, “All these sycophancies won’t take him to the level I have attained.”