On the occasion of Dr. Peter Odili’s 74th birthday, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike presented him with a home.
The residence was constructed and given to Odili by the Rivers state government, according to a statement from the governor’s media adviser, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri.
Ebiri claims that Wike delivered his remarks on Monday during the 74th birthday celebration held in the former Rivers State governor’s honor, Dr. Peter Odili, at a private mansion built and given to him by the State government in Port Harcourt’s Old Government Residential Area.
Dr. Odili, known as the “golden governor of Nigeria” and the state’s governor from 1999 to 2007, is the political godfather of Wike.
Wike had in several fore eulogized Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili (retd) for their role in his political career and success in life.
While further eulogizing the sterling qualities of the ex-governor, Wike said he had been well schooled by Odili in politics, saying his present political ordeals were not surprising.
Wike claimed that Odili gave him and the others everything and prepared them for the future, despite the fact that the cost of the multi-million naira was not made public.
He recalled that Dr. Peter Odili had a sizable audience behind him when he planned to run for president.
However, he pointed out that when the decision regarding the governorship of Rivers State needed to be made, and he did not grant those who wanted it, they all deserted him and sprinted to Abuja to impede his presidential ambition.
However, Governor Wike claimed he had been adhering to Dr. Odili’s counsel. Therefore, he did not find it surprising that the PDP presidential primary resulted as it did.
The statement by the governor’s spokesman partly read, “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.
“For us, we have used him as a school and we thank him for making himself available for us to use him to learn so that we won’t be shocked of whatever that is going to happened.”
The Governor expressed happiness at having known Dr. Odili and being able to honor him, citing the many benefits and gains from Dr. Odili’s political mentorship that had enabled him to achieve his political triumphs.
He emphasized that the Odilis’ generosity was what allowed the Ikwerre sons to become governors of Rivers State.
Former Rivers State Governor Dr. Peter Odili responded by saying that the birthday gift from the State government left him and his wife, Hon. Justice Mary Odili (retired), speechless.
