Following his recent disparaging remarks against former Governor Peter Odili, a revered elder statesman and the founder of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, some Rivers State elders, acting through the Concerned Elders of Rivers State, have demanded an unconditional apology from Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, or FCT.
Former Governor Celestine Omehia, Prince Uche Secondus, former Deputy Governor of the state, Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara, Senator Ngoji Denton West, former Minister of Transportation, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and Senator Lee Maeba all signed the strongly worded statement that made the demand.
Dr. Dam Jaja, Alabo David Briggs, Dr. Shedrack Akolokwu, Dr. Reginald Okeya, Ambassador Oji Ngofa, Emma Okah, Senator Adawari Pepple of Alabao, Ambrose Nwuzi, and Emeh Glory Emeh are among the other signatories.
During a gathering at a church in Ororgwe, the elders voiced their profound displeasure at Wike’s recent insults to Dr. Odili, his family, and his medical facility. They added that such behaviour is not only disrespectful but also goes against the long-standing customs of respect for one another, particularly the reverence Rivers State places on elders and the deference to their knowledge and experience.
Regarding Wike’s claims that Dr. Odili “chickened out” of the presidential contest, the concerned elders clarified that Odili just complied with Olusegun Obasanjo’s order to resign in the party’s best interests.
According to their analysis, Wike’s statement implied that he would defy President Bola Tinubu if he were ordered to resign from any contest, as President Obasanjo had instructed Dr. Odili to do in 2006.
“Dr. Peter Odili didn’t back down.” In hindsight, we applaud Dr. Peter Odili’s devotion for heeding the PDP’s call to resign as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2007 election in order to maintain North-South balance in favour of the late President Musa Yar’Adua.
Even though it was obvious that he would have won the primaries, Dr. Peter Odili bravely complied as a partyman and team member without demeanoring other Nigerians or tearing down the home. Despite being rejected as the vice presidential candidate himself, Dr. Peter Odili accepted his fate and enthusiastically supported his brother from the Niger Delta, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who emerged as the vice presidential candidate and, without any opposition, became the president of Nigeria. At the time, Dr. Odili stood for the Niger Delta’s benefit. Nyesom Wike is not used to this kind of teamwork and statesmanship. Thus, it wasn’t only about Dr. Odili; it was also about his party’s directive for national stability,” the statement continued.
The state’s long-standing traditions of togetherness and respect are insulted by Wike’s actions, according to the elders.
They emphasized that Wike should serve as an example as a former governor and national leader, particularly in regards to deference to elders and civility in public discourse.
According to the statement, “We condemn the regrettable statements made by Nyesom Wike and his persistent disregard for respectable people, such as former governors, traditional leaders, and clergymen.”
Such conduct is inappropriate for someone who has held a prominent position in the government.
It should be mentioned that Dr. Peter Odili, as the founder of the 1998 Restoration Team and an elder, has the authority to bring any of his political children—including Nyesom Wike—to order. This team produced nearly all of the present leaders in Rivers State. In addition to serving as governor for eight years, Odili is a skilled physician who had a successful practice prior to his appointment.
He is currently the founder of Nigeria’s first private medical university. Nobody needs to “resurrect like Lazarus” for such a man. Given his achievements as a family man, prosperous professional, outstanding politician, and renowned national statesman, Dr. Peter Odili, who is 76 years old and has been out of office as Governor of Rivers State for more than seventeen years, does not require any favors from others.
According to the worried elder, disrespecting elders is a major issue that cannot be disregarded, even though they believe in the value of courteous and productive communication and the necessity of resolving complaints in this way.
“Elders are stewards of our heritage, wisdom, and values, and any insult to their dignity is an injury to the entire community,” the statement continued. For this reason, we firmly oppose Chief Nyesom Wike’s regrettable statements and his tendency to disregard decency and caution by disparaging respectable individuals and organizations, such as revered traditional leaders and priests, whenever he feels like it. If not, how would anyone defend the present disdain for the Odilis, or would we fast forget how he disparaged Sir Celestine Omehia, a former Rivers Governor? Other leaders, such as Prince Uche Secondus or the King of Eberi, Omuma Barr Onyekachi Amaonwu JP, would also be affected.
We don’t want to belittle Nyesom Wike because we are elders. Because of his position as a former governor, holder of the national honor of the Commander of the Order of the Niger, Life Bencher, and current Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is expected to be a leader and a peacemaker in addition to being a high-ranking public official. It is significant because we are shocked that he finds no significance in all of these altitudes.
