Why We Gave Odili Mansion As Birthday Gift- Wike

Rivers State Government has gifted a mansion to former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili, on the latter’s 74th birthday.

Media aide to Governor Nyesom Wike, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, in a statement, said the residence was built and donated to Odili by the Rivers state Government.

According to Ebiri, Wike spoke on Monday during the 74th birthday reception organised to honour the former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, at the private residence built and donated to him by the State government in Old Government Residential Area, Port Harcourt.

Wike is a political godson to Dr. Odili, who was the state Governor from 1999 to 2007 and is commonly referred to as the golden governor of Nigeria.

Governor Wike was the executive chairman of Obio/Akpor local government Area of the state when Odili held sway as Governor.

Wike had in several fore eulogized Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili (retd) for their role in his political career and success in life.

While further eulogizing the sterling qualities of the ex-governor, Wike said he had been well schooled by Odili in politics, saying his present political ordeals were not surprising.

Although the cost of the multi-million naira was not disclosed, Wike said Odili gave him and others everything and prepared them for the future.

He recalled that when Dr. Peter Odili was to run for the office of the president, he had a large crowd following, happily.

But noted that when the issue of governorship of Rivers State was to be decided, and he did not give those who wanted it, they all left him, ran to Abuja to thwart his presidential ambition.