A group of prominent elders in Rivers State, under the banner of the Concerned Elders of Rivers State, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to tender an unreserved apology for his recent comments against former Governor Peter Odili.
Odili, a respected elder statesman and founder of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, was the target of what the elders described as derogatory remarks made by Wike during a church event in Ororgwe.
In a statement jointly signed by notable figures, including former Governor Celestine Omehia, Prince Uche Secondus, former Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Austin Opara, Senator Ngoji Denton West, former Minister of Transport Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and Senator Lee Maeba, the elders expressed their dismay over Wike’s conduct. Other signatories included Dr. Dam Jaja, Alabo David Briggs, Dr. Shedrack Akolokwu, Dr. Reginald Okeya, Ambassador Oji Ngofa, Emma Okah, Senator Adawari Pepple, Ambrose Nwuzi, and Emeh Glory Emeh.
The elders criticized Wike for his accusations that Dr. Odili “chickened out” of a presidential race, explaining that Odili had stepped down in 2006 in deference to a directive from then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Dr. Peter Odili did not chicken out. In retrospect, we commend the loyalty of Dr. Peter Odili, who obeyed the call by the PDP to step down for the late President Musa Yar’Adua as the PDP presidential candidate in the 2007 presidential election to ensure North-South balancing.
“As a partyman and team player, Dr. Peter Odili courageously obeyed without pulling down the house or insulting other Nigerians, even though it was certain he would have won the primaries. When Dr. Peter Odili was also not chosen as the vice-presidential candidate, he accepted his fate and rolled out the drums for his brother from the Niger Delta, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who emerged as the vice-presidential candidate and later President of Nigeria without firing a bullet. It was Niger Delta’s gain which Dr. Odili represented at that time. This is the measure of a statesman and team player that is alien to Nyesom Wike. Therefore, it was not all about Dr. Odili but about the directive of his Party for the stability of the nation,” the statement read.
The elders highlighted that Wike’s remarks were contrary to the traditions of respect and decorum valued in Rivers State. They stressed that as a former governor and current minister, Wike should act as a role model.
“We stand against the unfortunate remarks made by Nyesom Wike, and his continuous disrespect towards dignified individuals, including former governors, traditional rulers, and clergymen. Such behaviour is unbecoming of someone who has held high public office.
“It must be noted that as an elder and founder of the 1998 Restoration Team, which groomed almost all the current politicians in Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili has the right as a political father to call any one of his erring political children, including Nyesom Wike, to order. Aside from being a governor for eight years, Odili is an accomplished medical practitioner with a thriving medical practice even before he became governor.
“Today, he is the founder of the first private Medical University in Nigeria. Such a man does not need any ‘resurrection like Lazarus’ by anybody. At 76 years of age and having left office over seventeen years ago as Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, with a high spirit of self-contentment, does not need any patronage from anyone given his accomplishments as a family man, successful professional, great politician, and a distinguished national statesman,” the statement continued.
The Concerned Elders emphasized the importance of mutual respect and warned that acts of disrespect towards elders undermine the values and unity of the state.
“Elders are custodians of our heritage, wisdom, and values, and any affront to their dignity is an injury to the entire community. This is why we stand tall against the unfortunate remarks of Chief Nyesom Wike and his penchant to throw caution and decency to the wind by insulting dignified persons and institutions, including respected traditional rulers and clergymen, whenever he pleases. Otherwise, how would anyone justify the current disrespect to the Odilis, or would we forget so soon how he denigrated Sir Celestine Omehia, a former Governor of Rivers State, or other leaders including Prince Uche Secondus or the King of Eberi Omuma, Barr. Onyekachi Amaonwu JP?
“As elders, we do not want to condescend to the low level of Nyesom Wike. As a person who holds a high public office, he is expected to be a peacemaker and role model who is supposed to be a leader by virtue of his status as a former Governor, holder of the national honour of the Commander of the Order of The Niger, Life Bencher, and a serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are deeply surprised that all these elevations mean nothing to him, and that is why it is important,” the elders concluded.
