Wike Addresses Rift with Odili: Political Differences Emerge
Former Rivers State governor and current FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has broken his silence on the reported disagreement between him and his political mentor, Peter Odili, shedding light on the strained relationship during a media interaction in Abuja on Tuesday.
Wike, who served as governor of Rivers State from May 2015 to May 2023 before assuming his ministerial role, acknowledged that his once-close relationship with Odili has soured due to political variances.
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While Wike had previously regarded Odili, who governed Rivers State from May 1999 to May 2007, as his political father and leader, he admitted that their current association is no longer harmonious.
“As it is today, politically we don’t have good relationship. We don’t work [together] today,” Wike disclosed to journalists, hinting at the apparent discord between them.
Pressed for clarification on the root cause of the strained ties, Wike cited “some political differences” without delving into specifics.
However, observers speculate that the friction could stem from recent political developments in Rivers State, particularly the reported impeachment threats against incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the state House of Assembly.
Notably, Wike’s gesture of gifting Odili a lavish mansion for his 74th birthday in August 2022 had underscored the former governor’s significance in his political journey. At the time, Wike had praised Odili’s resilience amidst adversity, emphasizing his invaluable role as a mentor and guide.
“There was a time every political class abandoned Dr. Odili. This is a man who gave us everything. Some people called him Mr. Donatus. There was no abuse he did not get. Everybody he tried to help their families, at the end of the day, all betrayed him,” Wike remarked during Odili’s birthday celebration.
Despite the apparent discord, Wike’s acknowledgment of Odili’s influence and contributions to his political career reflects the complexities of political relationships and the evolution of alliances over time.
As Wike navigates the intricacies of political dynamics, his remarks offer insight into the shifting landscapes of power and influence within Nigeria’s political arena.
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