Wike fires back at Odili: “You turned Rivers into your Private Estate”

Wike and Odili

Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili.

Wike accused Odili of transforming Rivers State into a family-dominated enclave, describing his governance as turning the state into a “private estate.”

The outburst came in response to Odili’s recent remarks implying that current Rivers Governor Siminilayi Fubara had prevented Wike from asserting undue control over the state.

Rejecting the allegation, Wike fired back with a blistering critique, questioning Odili’s family ties to key positions in the state.

“Between him and myself, who has turned Rivers State into a personal estate?” Wike asked pointedly.

He continued, “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 into his private estate?”

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Wike said he brought Odili back to life when he became governor in 2015.

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.”

The clash has sent shockwaves through Rivers State’s political circles, with analysts interpreting it as a deepening rift between two of the region’s most influential figures.

Both Wike and Odili have been central to the state’s political evolution, but the accusations suggest a fierce battle for control and legacy.