From Tony John, Port Harcourt
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Joe Korka-Waadah, has stated that former Governor Peter Odili is too eminent to respond to the uncomplimentary comments targeted at him by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Korka-Waadah, a Canadian-based political management expert, was reacting to Wike’s comments regarding Odili’s remarks. Odili had hosted Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to a Christmas Ballad during which the former governor noted that the incumbent had stopped one man’s quest to capture Rivers as his personal estate, a statement apparently directed at Wike.
Korka-Waadah remarked: “Wike has no respect for anyone, so no utterance he makes surprises me. But even if he can deceive external stakeholders, he cannot deceive himself or the people of Rivers.”
He continued: “It is Wike who owes Odili an unquantifiable debt of gratitude. But Sir Odili, an accomplished medical professional, mentor, teacher, leader, and elder statesman, will not dignify Wike by exchanging banters with him.
“Rather, Rivers people will reply to Wike. He was a nobody when Odili made him chairman of the richest local government in Nigeria. Outside active politics, Odili remains a father figure in Rivers and national politics, as well as a husband to a retired Justice of the Supreme Court.
“So, which political death is Wike claiming to have revived Odili from? Did he make Odili a minister or president, after using Odili to curry credibility for his tumultuous eight-year reign as governor?
“It is his stock-in-trade. Whoever disagrees with him is an enemy. Like I said, Sir Odili is too refined, self-esteemed, and eminent to respond to a political son reckless with his utterances.
“Odili will not dignify Wike with a response. It is enough that Governor Fubara, who should be looking up to Wike, is now teaching him a lesson in credible leadership and cutting him to size. Odili is not Wike’s mate and will not be fazed by his insults.
“Fubara, a supposed political neophyte, is setting new standards in forthright leadership and prudent management of state resources, achieving new heights in the governance of Rivers.
“If Odili, as a father to all Rivers people, could praise Wike during his time, why does Wike feel Fubara does not deserve more encouragement from the elder statesman?”
