Rivers elders’ groups clash over Wike, Odili feud

The Rivers State Elders Council has issued a strongly-worded statement rebuking some concerned elders for their comments on the recent remarks made by Chief Nyesom Wike about Dr. Peter Odili.

The council, in a statement recently, signed by 45 prominent elders, including Ferdinand Alabraba, Emmanuel Anyanwu, and Senator Magnus Abe, described the comments by the concerned elders as “puerile” and lacking in courage.

The council also questioned the motives of the concerned elders, alleging that they were individuals who had worked closely with Wike but were now parading themselves as supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The group noted that despite Dr. Odili’s active role in the current Rivers State crisis, Wike had never made any adverse remarks against him, due to the deep respect he had for Odili.

However, the council condemned Dr. Odili’s disparaging statement about Wike, made at a Christmas carol service, as unacceptable.

“We consider it unfortunate that the comments came from elders who lacked the courage to let the public know what prompted the remarks by Nyesom Wike,” they said.

“Did Dr. Odili deserve respect in return for being deliberately disrespectful to the Minister of the FCT? The answer is no.

“Dr. Odili, an elder and former governor of Rivers State, should not have thrown decorum to the wind in making statements in his quest to please the governor, who was his Special Guest of Honour at the event, no matter what the incentive may have been.”

They, however, advised the concerned elders to summon the courage to advise Dr. Odili to be more circumspect in his utterances in the future.

“We advise Dr. Peter Odili and his cohorts to kindly leave Chief Nyesom Wike alone, while they continue with their exploitative manipulations of the governor of Rivers State, their new benefactor,” they said.