Former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he built a mansion for his estranged political associate and predecessor, Peter Odili, and that his picture was displayed in various parts of the house, including the toilet.
Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, made this disclosure during a Special Thanksgiving Service organized by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Wike’s comments came in response to a recent outburst by Odili, who accused Wike of attempting to turn the state into his personal property.
Wike explained that during his time as governor, he personally arranged for Julius Berger to build a mansion for Odili. He added that Odili was so grateful for the gesture that he would show the house to visitors, frequently telling them how much Wike had done for him.
The FCT Minister also criticized Odili for praising the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, claiming that Fubara had already surpassed the achievements of previous governors despite only being in office for less than a year.
Wike questioned the appropriateness of such remarks, given Odili’s own eight-year tenure, and suggested that it was unbecoming of an elder statesman to make such comparisons.
In addition, Wike revealed that when he was governor, his pictures were displayed throughout Odili’s mansion, from the sitting room to the bedroom, kitchen, and even the toilet. However, Wike pointed out that these pictures have now been removed.
Wike said while he was serving as governor of the state, he “personally called Julius Berger to build a mansion for Odili to live in.
“He (Odili) was calling everyone to the house then, telling them, come and see what Wike has done for me. Wike has shown me love. He was taking them round the house,” he claimed.
Wike, who antagonized Odili’s scorecard for the incumbent Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said, “the governor that all of us made has not spent one year in office and the same Odili was already saying that the governor has beaten the records of all the past governors of Rivers State.
“You spent eight years as governor and someone who hasn’t spent one year has surpassed your records, what manner of elder talk like that? Is that what an elder statesman should be known for”?
Wike further revealed that when he was governor of the state, “my pictures were everywhere in his house, sitting room, bedroom, kitchen, even in the toilet, my picture was everywhere.
“But today, all the pictures have been removed.”
