Politics
Count Odili Out Of Tribal Politics, Group Tells Obuah
A non-governmental political pressure group, the Ndoni Advocacy For Good Governance (NAFOGG) has charged former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Bro. Felix Obuah, to count the former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, out of tribal politics, describing Odili as a detribalised, peaceful and development-driven leader.
This is contained in a statement signed by the President of the group, Dr. Meshack Ekeh, Secretary, Apostle Cromwell Olisa and Director of Publicity and Mobilisation, Barrister Humphrey Jeremiah, respectively, and made public at Erema-Ndoni, recently.
The statement stressed that for the eight years, Odili, as governor of Rivers State, ran an administration without discrimination of any sort, adding that “Dr. Peter Odili who Obuah claimed is taking sides in the political crisis, which he and his godfather and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, among other political dissidents planned to unseat an elected and sitting Governor for unjustifiable reasons remains cheap political points to smear the good image of Dr. Odili”.
NAFOGG’s statement reads in part: “The attention of Ndoni Advocacy For Good Governance (NAFOGG) led by Dr. Meshack Ekeh, has been drawn to a purported condemnation of Dr. Peter Odili by Felix Obuah in a radio interview recently, accusing the former governor of taking side by supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara, instead of former governor, Nyesom Wike, and as such, failed to broker peace between the duo, as to move the state forward developmentally as a father.
“We are not surprised that Obuah has forgotten in a hurry that it was the same Odili who brought Wike, Amaechi, Obuah and others to political relevance in the state and country. If Odili had taken sides with anybody, they would not have been part of his government. As long as we are concerned, Obuah should go and bury his face in shame for supporting Wike who is poised to corner Rivers wealth and fortunes at the detriment of the people.
“We are also aware that it was the same Odili that brought out Wike and others from the wood and beautified them by giving Nyesom Wike, Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA for eight years, among other positions. He also championed the chairmanship cause of Felix Obuah for the sole of the PDP in the state. Obuah should stop biting the fingers that had fed him and made him, after God Almighty, who he is today.
“We, therefore, call on Felix Obuah to think of better things to do for himself rather than going from one media house to another to seek for sympathy”.
“What Odili did for Nyesom Wike, Chibuike Amaechi, Celestine Omehia and others, nobody has done one quarter of such in the business of governance. Therefore, Rivers, as a secular state, remained indivisible. As far as the group is concerned, we queue behind Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara who has surpassed the so-to-speak achievements of Nyesom Wike within the past seven months in the saddle of governance in the state”
The group accused Obuah and Wike of stirring political crisis across the 23 local government areas of the state because of their inability to have their way.
“Whether Obuah supports Wike or not, who God has ordained to rule the people, nobody can change it. Siminalayi Fubara is an ordained ‘servant-leader’ who has come to rescue Rivers people from political slavery, penury, hunger and deprivation”, they stressed.
The group warned that any further accusation against Dr Odili would be resisted, describing the claims of the former PDP boss in that interview as “cheap political propaganda of a failed political loser in the corridors of power”.
Bethel Toby
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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