A former Governor of Rivers, Dr Peter Odili, has been warned to stop uttering provocative remarks against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The warning was issued on Monday by an interest group, Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) through its Director-General, Johnson Georgewill.
The group accused Odili of making comments capable of exacerbating the political crises in the state.
Recall that Odili had on Christmas day commended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, lauded the governor for thwarting “one man’s quest to capture River State as his private estate”.
The statement, according to the group, was targeted at Wike. The group also knocked Odili for defaming Wike with his speech, stressing that the political crisis between the minister and Fubara has nothing to do with state’s treasury.
Praising Wike for his achievement in all the portfolio he has handled, the group wondered what Odili motive was for raising a false allegation against the FCT minister.
“It is unfortunate, disappointing and absurd for a statesman like Odili to make such statements against Wike who has done much for Rivers State.
“Odili should uphold the dignity of an elder statesman rather than engage in partisanship.
“During the inauguration of Odili’s mansion built by Wike’s administration as well as a Cancer Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Centre named after him, among other projects, Odili lavished praises on Wike.
“He publicly declared that Wike’s administration out-performed all its predecessors, including his own tenure from 1999 to 2007,” he said.
The director-general expressed dismay at Odili’s apparent turn-around, accusing him of failing to support Fubara’s candidacy during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries and the governorship election.
In spite of this, Georgewill said that Wike had steadfastly supported Fubara by ensuring his emergence as the party’s candidate and his subsequent victory.
He further stated that during the PDP primaries and governorship election, Wike had faced opposition from the ‘so-called leaders who today take front seats at government functions in Rivers’.
“The FCT minister backed Fubara to uphold equity, fairness and justice for all the people of riverine communities from which Fubara hails.
“RRM and its affiliate groups across the 23 local government areas of Rivers warn that any further hostile media statements from Odili against Wike will be strongly resisted,” he said.
Georgewill, however, urged Wike to remain focused on his developmental projects aimed at transforming the FCT into a world-class city.
He also advised the minister to disregard criticisms from those he described as politicians who were merely pursuing their selfish interests.
