A longstanding rift between two former governors of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Peter Odili, has taken a new turn.

Wike, currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has fired back at Odili, accusing him of turning Rivers State into his personal estate.

Speaking at a Special Thanksgiving Service in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Wike questioned Odili’s motives, saying, “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.”

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Wike’s outburst was in response to Odili’s recent comments, where he praised the current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, for stopping Wike from turning the state into his personal estate.

Wike also criticized Odili for his alleged role in denying his nephew, the son of his late senior brother, a commissioner slot. Instead, Odili allegedly gave the slot to his own daughter.

Wike asked, “Someone who didn’t remember to stand for the son of his late elder brother, is that an elder statesman?”
The rift between Wike and Odili is not new.

It is rooted in their differing political ideologies and interests. Wike has accused Odili of being a sycophant and a trader, who is more interested in personal gain than in serving the people of Rivers State.

The feud between the two former governors is likely to continue, with Wike’s latest comments fueling the fire.

As the political landscape in Rivers State continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this rift will impact the state’s governance and development.