I Have Forgiven Amaechi, Others, Says Odili, Drums Support for Wike · Wike links success to former governor’s template

Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, on Thursday said he has forgiven all his estranged political children, including the Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi.

This is as he called on all Rivers people, irrespective of political affiliations, to support the re-election bid of Governor Nyesom Wike, to firmly put the state on the path of development.

Speaking during a State Banquet organised by the Rivers State Government to mark his 70th Birthday, Odili announced that he has forgiven all his estranged political children who offended him.

He said: "I have forgiven them, and I will attempt to command my mind to forget. I will grant conscience amnesty to those whose conscience have told that they offended."

Odili stated that his 70th Birthday celebration has the significance of his official handover to his successor. 

"Today, I feel I am properly handing over to my successor. Today, we have revived the Rivers spirit. Only God will reward you (Wike)."

The Former Rivers State Governor said Wike has turned a new leaf in the creation of a new Rivers State.  

He urged the Rivers State Governor to remain focused in developing the bridges of unity in a pluralistic state. 

Odili stated that Wike has worked hard for the development of the state, hence he deserves the constitutionally approved two terms. 

"In three years, Governor Wike has surpassed what all former governors including me have done. Therefore, they should allow Governor Wike to complete his constitutionally approved two-terms", he said.

Earlier, at a Special Thanksgiving Mass at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Odili also called on all Rivers people, irrespective of political affiliation to totally support Wike to consolidate on the rapid rise of a New Rivers State. 

Odili declared: "Let me use this opportunity to request our people, all Rivers men and women, our chiefs and the entire political class, everybody that is proud to be identified and called a Rivers man or woman, to give your total support to this governor. 

"I am not saying it from a political position. I am talking from the position of an elder-statesman. This is because, with his leadership, we can achieve total cohesion and unity of our peoples. Once that is achieved, the sky is the take off point for the New Rivers State that he is building.”

He described Wike as a loyal politician who is outstanding in his commitment to the development of Rivers State. 

"I have been governor, I have worked under governors and I have seen governors after me. This man is unique. Just to tell you that of all the people we have worked politically with, from way back in the eighties, nobody in the political terrain can compete with this governor,” Odili said.

In his homily, the Chaplain of Our Lady of Holy Chaplaincy of Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Rev Monsignor Pius Kii, said despite betrayals by the likes of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Wike stood by Odili.

Rev Monsignor Kii said: "One of Odili's lowest moments was when he was dragged by one of his erstwhile sons to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up by the Rotimi Amaechi administration aimed at damaging his reputation and preventing him from holding political offices.

"Despite these betrayals, we are grateful to God that some remain loyal sons, particularly His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and countless others in the state and in the country.  

"Having the love of one like Governor Wike is having the love of many. For one with Wike is majority; for in him, God put 10 men in one man. Your Excellency, Dr Peter Odili, rest assured that those who are for you and with you are more than those who have abandoned you," Kii said.

Meanwhile speaking at the state banquet in the former governor’s honour, Wike said the secret of his success as governor was that he had religiously applied the three developmental secrets he got from Odili’s tutelage.

Wike said the guidelines handed over to him, gave him greater insights into the complexities of the State from a pro-Rivers leader.

According to him, "Everything the former Rivers State governor told me in his guidelines have played out. I am successful because I followed religiously the items on the guidelines to rapidly develop Rivers State. 

"I don't have high blood pressure because I was fully prepared. I know each local government area because I took the advice from a man who was there."